The Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations has engaged Rehoboth residents on labour rights, workplace dispute resolution and career guidance.
The engagement forms part of the ministry's regional community meetings aimed at bringing labour-related information and services closer to communities.
Officials informed residents about their rights and responsibilities under the Labour Act, including remuneration, working hours, leave, termination of employment and protection against unfair dismissal.
The residents were also educated on mechanisms available to resolve workplace disputes, including negotiation, conciliation and arbitration.
Public Relations Officer for the Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations, Jeremia Namalenga, said, "The main aim for us to be here is to carry out information-sharing sessions with the members of the community, like you've seen. And specifically on issues relating to basic conditions of employment, dispute resolution, affirmative action, career guidance, and so forth. So this is not only going to be taking place in the real world. We finished the real world today."
The engagement also highlighted the ministry's Vocational Counselling Services, which provide career guidance, psychometric assessments and support in areas such as career planning, recruitment and retirement preparation.
Senior Labour Inspector at the Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations Otto Penda encouraged residents to make informed career choices by considering their aptitude, interests, personality and values, while also developing skills needed in the changing world of work.
"Before you work overtime there must be an agreement because overtime is extra money and it's a lot of money. So some people during normal working hours are not working because they want to work after 17H00 and claim extra money there. But on your normal working period you were relaxed, and you were not doing your things properly because you wanted to tell your employer to say, "Look, I'm not finished, and now it says it's knock-off time. Can I go overtime? So they say it also must be overtime; they don't say it must be agreed. The employer must come and say, 'Okay, Penda, yes, I see it's almost five o'clock and the work is not done.' Please, yeah, I'm approving your overtime, and then it's when you can claim overtime. Not for you to just know I see my work is not done and to work overtime. That overtime is not approved, and you'll be working for nothing."
Rehoboth resident Saima Mathias commended the ministry for bringing the service to the people.
"We had a few challenges that needed attention, and we are glad that we got to get some answers and also gave ideas and proposals so that we can make the labour office more applicable and approachable in our town. We had requested during the workshop that we needed more awareness since our population did not turn up in huge numbers as we expected and our information maybe came out a little bit later, but definitely a second time is really, really needed for us."
The Ministry says such engagements are important in ensuring that communities understand their labour rights, know where to seek assistance and are better equipped to make informed decisions about their careers and employment.