Members of the National Assembly have called for increased funding, stronger accountability and a more inclusive approach to employment equity.
They made the call during a debate on the motion to approve nominees to the Eighth Employment Equity Commission.
MPs also called for employment equity to consider disadvantaged men and white Namibians born after independence.
They highlighted the need to improve workplace accessibility and facilities for people with disabilities.
But funds allocated to the Commission are insufficient.
NUDO MP Vetaruhe Kandorozu said, "The money that we are allocating to the Commission is so little that they can do less work. It's one of the institutions that we look down upon when it comes to fund allocations. Budget allocations and this – they are their operations to go out in the regions to provide training as it is indicated in the act."
"Why should a company that cheats on equity still feed on public tenders paid for by the very people it excludes? Let this commission report regularly to the minister. The minister duly reports regularly to this house and plans on who was found guilty and what happened next," stressed AR MP George Kambala.
IPC MP Lilani Brinkman adds, "There is another issue we must confront: accountability. In June 2026, the Namibian reported that the Commission had not published its own annual reports for several years, despite its statutory reporting obligations. This raises a legitimate question. How can Parliament properly assess an institution's performance if we do not have regular public reports showing its progress and challenges?"
The mover of the motion, Justice and Labour Relations, Wise Immanuel says the government would strengthen the accountability, capacity and effectiveness of the Commission to ensure it delivers meaningful employment equity.
The minister confirmed that legislative amendments to the Act were underway and would be brought before Parliament once finalised.
"This commission is not simply administering an employment or the employment law as a matter of operational or legal requirement. But this particular commission is really an instrument for structural change, for democratic participation and for equitable inclusion and overall social justice."