Individual Case (CAS) - Discussion: 2021, Publication: 109th ILC session (2021)

Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No. 111) - Namibia (Ratification: 2001)

Written information provided by the Government

In terms of the application of Article 1(1)(b) of the Convention on additional grounds, including HIV status, the Committee requested the Government to adopt specific measures to ensure that workers who are victims of discrimination on the basis of HIV status (actual or perceived) have effective access to legal remedies.

Namibia fully recognizes that the information requested is on a purely voluntary basis and should be concerned only with new developments.

The Government of Namibia is committed to eradicating HIV/AIDS as noted by the Committee of Expert in its report that Namibia is the first country in Africa to have more than three quarters of its HIV-affected population virally suppressed.

The Labour Act, Act 11 of 2007, provides for a Dispute Resolution Mechanism for all disputes concerning fundamental rights and protection, which include disputes over employment decisions based on the ground of HIV status. These legal remedies consist of either referring a dispute to the Labour Commissioner for arbitration or approaching the Labour Court for enforcement of alleged infringed rights, or protection or other appropriate relief. It is our belief that the current legal remedies are effective and accessible to victims of discrimination on the basis of HIV status (actual or perceived).

The Committee further requested information on the number of cases of discrimination based on HIV status and on their outcome.

In 2019, one complaint against the Namibian Defence Force (NDF) was received by the Office of the Ombudsman. The complainant alleges that the NDF refused to employ him on grounds of his HIV status. The complainant was contacted by the Office of the Ombudsman to provide further information. The information is yet to be submitted by the complainant. The investigation will commence once the information is submitted.

The Committee asks the Government, in the context of Articles 2 and 5 – lmplementation of the national equality policy and affirmative action, to provide detailed information on the concrete measures taken to implement the action planned in the National Human Rights Action Plan 2015–19, in particular the review of the legislative and regulatory framework, and information on any research undertaken, obstacles encountered and results achieved in this regard. It further asks the Government to indicate what follow-up it gave to the recommendations in the Office of the Ombudsman’s Special Report on Racism and Discrimination and the concrete steps taken to address such discrimination.

The following are the concrete measures taken to implement the National Human Rights Action Plan 2015–19:

The Law Reform and Development Commission initiated a project on Obsolete Laws which resulted in the Repeal of Obsolete Law Act, 2018 (Act No. 21 of 2018). Some of the repealed laws were discriminatory in nature.

The second leg of the project, which researches the existence of other obsolete and discriminatory laws, has been completed and the report was handed to the Minister of Justice for further action. The Prohibition of Unfair Discrimination, Hate Speech and Harassment Bill has been circulated for comments and submissions by stakeholders, and a stakeholders’ consultative meeting is scheduled for 28 May 2021. The Bill repeals the Racial Discrimination Prohibition Act 1991 (Act No. 26 of 1991) and its amendments.

The information on any research undertaken is provided as follows:

The Ombudsman researched the reasons why racism, racial and other forms of discrimination still persist after 27 years of Namibian independence, and made numerous recommendations in his Report on the National Inquiry into Racism, Racial Discrimination and Other Forms of Discrimination and Tribalism. The Report was submitted to the National Assembly in October 2017.

Completed research, stakeholder consultations and the drafting of the White Paper on Indigenous Peoples’ Rights in Namibia. The White Paper is due for Cabinet approval and adoption by the National Assembly.

The Law Reform and Development Commission, in collaboration with the Department of Disability Affairs in the Office of the Vice-President, undertook to first conduct a critical analysis of the current National Disability Legal Framework. The Law Reform and Development Commission will assist in the review of the outdated Disability Council Act of 2004 with its National Disability Policy of 1997 and the domestication of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

With regard to designated groups, the Committee asks the Government to continue to: step up its efforts to promote access to training and employment opportunities for designated groups and review regularly the affirmative action measures to assess their relevance and impact and to provide information on any measures taken in this regard and the results achieved.

The Affirmative Action (Employment) Act 29 of 1998, which was amended by the Affirmative Action (Employment) Amendment Act 6 of 2007, has provisions requiring relevant employers to institute positive steps to further the employment of persons in designated groups. These measures may include training opportunities and giving preferential treatment in employment decisions to suitably qualified persons from designated groups to ensure that such persons are equitably represented in the workforce.

Section 17(3)(a) and (b) further empowers the Employment Equity Commission in this regard to determine whether a designated group is equitably represented in the various positions of employment offered by a relevant employer, to take into account, in addition to such other factors as it may determine:

(a) the availability of suitably qualified persons in that designated group for such positions of employment; and

(b) the availability of persons in designated groups who are able and willing, through appropriate training programmes, to acquire the necessary skills and qualifications for such positions of employment.

The above is the legislative framework on which the Commission relies on the issue of access to training and employment opportunities for designated groups.

The Government is requested to provide information on any follow-up given to the work of the Employment Equity Commission (EEC) related to the review of the Affirmative Action (Employment) Act, 1998, and on the activities of this Commission.

Amendments to the Act

The amendments had already been finalized and forwarded to the tripartite Labour Advisory Council (LAC), which in turn provided some inputs and returned the Act for their incorporation. The EEC established a task force to attend to the amendments and the final draft amendment Act of the task force was provided to the office of the Employment Equity Commissioner on 11 May 2021. The Office is now conducting a desk study to assess, possibly incorporate and align with international legislation and best practices relating to: (a) training and development of human resources; (b) expatriates and understudy skills transfer; and (c) equal pay for work of equal value.

Reduction of reporting threshold – Increasing relevant employers

In terms of section 20 of the Act and the regulations made thereunder, currently only those employers employing 25 and more employees are regarded as relevant employers and are covered by the Affirmative Action (Employment) Act. The current threshold was established in 2007, but since 1999 the threshold had been those employing 50 and more. The Commission is of the view that it is time to reduce the threshold further to cover more employers and corresponding employees, since the 2018 Namibia Labour Force Survey showed that the number of employers and employees covered is currently too low due to the threshold.

Activities of the Commission

The Commission revised its current 20-year-old standard report content and structure guidelines to place emphasis, inter alia, on access to training. The new guidelines and designed forms require reporting on qualifying as well as non­qualifying training and require employers to institute training measures, coupled with the necessary budgetary allocation for in-house training, bursaries and human resource planning, such as talent management, succession planning, promotions, etc.

Coupled with the newly adopted reporting format, a new review framework called the Integrated Review Scorecard (IRSC), was also developed. This is an internal tool to guide the review of affirmative action reports and plans submitted to the Commission. The Commission has, since its inception, been trying to realize its objects without any objective criteria that could enhance its efficiency and effectiveness in carrying out the range of activities specified in section 4(a)–(f). The above led to a widespread perception that the Commission was issuing AA Compliance Certificates to undeserving relevant employers simply because they submitted AA reports – not because they were implementing affirmative action in the workplace. The above prompted the need to develop and implement an integrated review scorecard. The IRSC is intended to assist the Commission in determining the exact compliance effort each relevant employer is making in the process of implementing affirmative action in his/her/its workplace. Furthermore, the IRSC will assist the Commission in the process of categorizing relevant employers into various compliance categories which in turn can be used for various purposes, such as training; possible charges for non-compliance with the Affirmative Action (Employment) Act; the giving of awards; consideration for state contracts, etc.

The Government is asked once again to provide information on any legislative developments regarding the New Equitable Economic Empowerment Framework Bill 2015.

The Draft Bill is almost ready for Cabinet consideration before it is tabled in the National Assembly in the third or fourth quarter of the 2021–22 financial year.

The Technical Working Committee has been engaged in consultation and it is due to brief the Prime Minister on Monday, 24 May 2021 at 10 a.m. on progress, and also to obtain political direction, if necessary.

Discussion by the Committee

Government representative, Minister of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation – I thank the Committee for this opportunity to present a response to the Committee of Experts’ observations with respect to Namibia’s implementation of Convention No. 111, which it ratified on 13 November 2001. This is the first time that Namibia has been asked to appear before the Committee.

Before addressing the observations of the Committee of Experts, I want to register my concern with regard to the manner in which the list of individual cases to be considered by the Committee was compiled. According to established criteria, the Committee, when compiling its list, is required to endeavour to achieve a balance of different categories of Conventions and a geographical balance. It is our view that in applying the set criteria, the Committee did not adequately consider geographical balance. As a result, 3 countries from 16 Member States belonging to the Southern Africa Development Community were asked to appear before the Committee in a single session. This is unprecedented.

At the outset, I must bring to the attention of the Committee the historical background of discrimination in Namibia, which forms the context in which Namibia applies the Convention. Namibia, with a present population of approximately 2.5 million people, gained independence in 1990 after a century-long struggle against racism, colonialism and apartheid.

The Namibian Constitution reflects our founding fathers’ and mothers’ determination to eradicate the vestiges of the colonial apartheid system. Article 10 of the Constitution contains a strong prohibition against discrimination on the grounds of sex, race, colour, ethnic origin, religion, creed or social or economic status. It also includes a unique provision on apartheid and affirmative action, contained in article 23, which requires that the practice of discrimination and the practice and ideology of apartheid shall be prohibited by law.

Article 23 also authorizes the enactment of affirmative action legislation, policies and programmes aimed at redressing social, economic or educational imbalances in Namibian society, arising out of past discriminatory laws and practices. It makes special note of the historically disadvantaged position of Namibian women.

In appraising Namibia’s efforts to combat discrimination, the Committee is asked to take note that white Namibians make up 6.4 per cent of Namibia’s total population but that they have disproportionate control over Namibia’s private sector and land. Further, Namibia has the second worst rate of income inequality in the world.

Therefore, pursuant to its constitutional mandate, Namibia has not only adopted a variety of laws designed to eliminate the vestiges of racism and discrimination against women and ethnic minorities that were inherited at independence, but it has oriented its overall national development agenda to empower and advance the economic and social position of the vast black majority of the population, including women, young people and ethnic minorities. This agenda cuts across all sectors.

It is therefore difficult to report on Namibia’s efforts to combat and eliminate discrimination within the legalistic framework of the Convention because these efforts span a wide range of government programmes. We therefore urge the Committee to take note that its observations and the answers to its specific questions regarding a few institutions or laws can only convey a partial picture of Namibia’s grand national project to eliminate discrimination.

I will now address the observations of the Committee in relation to the application of Articles 1, 2 and 5 of the Convention, to which my Government has already submitted a voluntary response to the ILO on 20 May 2021.

Article 1 of the Convention (Legislation – Additional grounds of discrimination). Namibia was requested to: amend section 33 of the Labour Act to provide for a remedy for the unlawful dismissal of an employee on grounds of HIV and AIDS status (actual or perceived), the degree of physical or mental disability, and family responsibilities; adopt measures to ensure that workers who are victims of discrimination on the basis of HIV status (actual or perceived) have effective access to legal remedies; and provide information on the number of cases of discrimination based on HIV status and on their outcome.

Section 5 of the Labour Act No. 11 of 2007 prohibits discrimination in an employment decision on grounds, including: an employee’s HIV and AIDS status (actual or perceived); the degree of physical or mental disability; and family responsibility. “Employment decision” includes the termination of employment.

With respect to access to effective legal remedies, section 7 of the Labour Act provides two alternative procedures to aggrieved employees to seek redress concerning employment decisions, including a decision to terminate an employee’s employment based on unlawful discrimination: (1) referring a dispute to the Labour Commissioner for arbitration, and (2) lodging a complaint with the Labour Court. It is our opinion that the current legal remedies are effective and accessible to victims of discrimination on the basis of HIV and AIDS status (actual or perceived). Nevertheless, the tripartite task force on the review of the Labour Act is considering the Committee of Experts’ request to include a specific reference to the above-mentioned grounds of discrimination in section 33(3).

I am pleased to inform the Committee that Namibia is considering its readiness to ratify the ILO Workers with Family Responsibilities Convention, 1981 (No. 156). I sent the matter to the Labour Advisory Council and, at its March 2021 meeting, the Council resolved to recommend ratification.

With respect to the request for information on the number of cases of discrimination based on HIV and AIDS status, I bring to the Committee’s attention that it is well known in Namibia that discrimination on the ground of HIV or AIDS status is unlawful. This was settled by the High Court in 2000 in the case of Nanditume v. the Minister of Defence. Thereafter a prohibition against discrimination on the ground of HIV or AIDS status was included in the Labour Act, 2004. Since Nanditume, there has not been a court case alleging discrimination against an employee on account of HIV or AIDS status.

I note further that Namibia had adopted a National Code on HIV/AIDS and Employment for HIV Prevention and AIDS Management in 1998, which addressed the prevention of new infections, as well as the provision of optimal care and support for the workforce.

One complaint concerning HIV/AIDs was lodged with the Ombudsman in 2019, involving the defence forces, but appears to have been abandoned by the complainant. The recent complaint may be an indication that employers and employees are aware of, and have access to, remedies for discrimination on the ground of HIV or AIDS status.

Articles 2 and 5 (Implementation of the equality national policy and affirmative action). The Committee of Experts has asked the Government to provide information on: the measures taken to implement the National Human Rights Action Plan 2015–19, in particular the review of the legislative and regulatory framework, and research undertaken, obstacles encountered and results achieved in this regard. It further asks the Government to report on its follow-up to the recommendations in the Office of the Ombudsman’s Special Report on Racism and Discrimination and the concrete steps taken.

Since independence, Namibia has been pursuing the agenda of eliminating discrimination in respect of employment and occupation and has established various institutions to deliver on this agenda.

With respect to the measures taken to implement the National Human Rights Action Plan of 2015–19, I can report as follows: the Law Reform and Development Commission initiated a project on obsolete laws, which resulted in the Repeal of Obsolete Laws Act, 2018 (Act No. 21 of 2018). Some of the repealed laws were discriminatory in nature. The second phase of the project included research on the existence of other obsolete and discriminatory laws. The research was completed, and the report was referred to the Minister of Justice for further action.

I can also report that the Ombudsman has prepared the Prohibition of Unfair Discrimination, Hate Speech and Harassment Bill. If enacted by Parliament, the Bill will repeal and replace the Racial Discrimination Prohibition Act 1991 (Act No. 26 of 1991). The Ombudsman conducted a consultative meeting with stakeholders on 28 May 2021 to gain their comments and input on the Bill.

The Ombudsman conducted research into why racism, racial and other forms of discrimination still persist 20 years after Namibia’s independence, and made numerous recommendations in his Report on the National Inquiry into Racism, Racial Discrimination and Other Forms of Discrimination and Tribalism, which was submitted to the National Assembly in October 2017. In addition, a white paper on indigenous peoples’ rights in Namibia has been finalized with input from stakeholders and is due for Cabinet approval.

The Committee of Experts request that the Namibian Government step up its efforts to promote access to training and employment opportunities for designated groups and review regularly its affirmative action measures.

The Government takes note of the Committee of Experts’ comment that it welcomed the measures introduced by the Employment Equity Commission (EEC) towards the workforce transformation and its efforts to deal with the underlying causes of discrimination.

The Affirmative Action (Employment) Act 29 of 1998, as amended, requires relevant employers to take positive measures to further the employment of persons from designated groups. At present, the threshold for “relevant employer” is set at enterprises employing more than 25 employees. Designated groups include persons from racially disadvantaged groups, women and persons with disabilities.

Affirmative action measures may include: giving preferential treatment in employment decisions to suitably qualified persons from designated groups to ensure that such persons are equitably represented in the workforce of a relevant employer; ensuring that existing training programmes contribute to furthering the objectives of the Affirmative Action (Employment) Act; and establishing new training programmes aimed at furthering the objectives of the Act. Within the aforementioned framework, the EEC addresses the issues of access to training and employment opportunities for designated groups.

The Committee of Experts request to provide information on the review of the Affirmative Action (Employment) Act and on the activities of the EEC.

The EEC, in consultation with the Ministry, sent to the tripartite Labour Advisory Council an initial set of proposed amendments to the Affirmative Action (Employment) Act. The EEC has established a task force to prepare a final draft amendment Bill. Among the amendments, the EEC proposes to reduce the current “relevant employer” threshold of 25 employees in order to extend affirmative action to more employers and employees.

With respect to its activities, the EEC has revised its 20-year old standard report guidelines in order to assess annual affirmative reports in accordance with more objective criteria and has introduced a new Integrated Review Scorecard. The EEC is also planning to play a key role in the implementation of the Violence and Harassment Convention, 2019 (No. 190), which Namibia ratified at the end of 2020. Although the EEC is striving for seamless operation, the collection and analysis of data on affirmative action remains a challenge. A modern information management system is needed. Finally, Namibia brings to the attention of the Committee that the Government is in need of ILO technical assistance to enable the EEC to develop and implement a comprehensive information management system.

In conclusion, the Government of Namibia underscores its appreciation of the ILO’s support and assistance, as well as the constructive dialogue with social partners in an effort to eradicate all vestiges of discrimination in employment. Namibia renews its assurances that it is committed to fulfilling the obligations it has undertaken under the Convention and various other Conventions of the ILO.

Employer members – Today we are discussing the application in law and practice of fundamental Convention No. 111 on discrimination in employment and occupation in Namibia.

This Convention has been ratified by 175 ILO Member States, which makes it one of the most ratified Conventions. Together with the Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951 (No. 100), Convention No. 111 details the broad and encompassing fundamental principle of the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation.

With the current social climate against structural racism and discrimination, many employers around the world have strengthened their policies to ensure that discrimination is eliminated from the workplace. Equality, diversity and inclusion policies help businesses improve productivity, creativity, improve cultural awareness, and increase outreach in the quest for talent and the company’s reputation. Therefore, all of us – governments, employers and workers – shall aim at achieving the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation.

With respect to this case, this is the first time that this Committee is discussing Namibia’s application in law and practice of the Convention, which was ratified by Namibia in 2001. The Committee of Experts prepared its observations on this Convention based on the Government’s 2019 submission, as well as the negotiations between the ILO and the Government of Namibia of the Decent Work Country Programme for Namibia 2019–23. Two written submissions were also provided by the Government of Namibia to the Conference Committee with detailed information related to the Committee of Experts’ observations. We thank the Government for providing such level of detail.

The issues at stake in this case: the Committee of Experts’ observations outline clear elements of inadequacy in Namibia’s law and practice with respect to the Convention. The Convention articulates around four elements: (1) the definition of and grounds for discrimination; (2) ways to implement policy; (3) the elaboration of a national policy designed to promote equality of opportunity and treatment in respect of employment and occupation, with a view to eliminating any discrimination; and (4) the exceptions.

This case deals with all four elements. First, on the grounds for discrimination:

The Committee of Experts requested that the legislation on HIV status, physical or mental disability and family responsibilities, be compliant with Article 1(1)(b) of the Convention. This point raised by the Committee of Experts reminds us that the Convention is not only about the specific causes of discrimination in employment and occupation mentioned in Article 1(1)(a) which are race, colour, sex, religion, political opinion, national extraction or social origin, but that it also includes additional grounds like distinction, exclusion or preference, which has the effect of nullifying or impairing equality of opportunity or treatment in employment or occupation as may be determined by the Member concerned after consultation with representative employers’ and workers’ organizations, where such exist, and with other appropriate bodies.

In Namibia, section 5 of the Labour Act defines HIV and AIDS status, physical or mental disability, and family responsibilities as possible grounds of discrimination. However, the Committee of Experts highlights that section 33 does not include them in the grounds of prohibited reasons for dismissal. Despite the lack of review of section 33 of the Labour Act, the Government explains that the same Act provides for dispute resolution mechanisms either before the Labour Commissioner for Arbitration or the Labour Court for all disputes concerning fundamental rights and protection, which includes disputes over employment decisions based on the grounds of HIV status.

In this regard, however, the Employers are encouraged by the Government’s statement here today that Namibia is, after all, considering amending section 33 of the Labour Act in line with the Committee of Experts’ recommendations.

Related to this first issue and also to the implementation of anti-discrimination policies in practice is the access to remedies. The Committee of Experts requested the Government to provide information on the cases of discrimination in relation to HIV and AIDS status dealt with by the labour inspectors and labour courts, and ensure that workers who are victims of discrimination on the basis of HIV status, actual or perceived, have effective access to legal remedies.

The Government’s reply did not provide any details on this point and the only complaint received by the Office of the Ombudsman seems to confirm the view of the Committee of Experts that few cases may be an indicator of the lack of awareness, lack of access to remedies, or fear of retaliation.

The Employers’ group underlines that access to remedy is essential to developing the effectiveness of anti-discrimination policies as required under Article 2 of the Convention. It is unclear to us whether such labour disputes can be brought before the Labour Commissioner for Arbitration and the Labour Court as indicated in the Labour Act No. 11 of 2007 or before the Office of the Ombudsman, as mentioned by the Government in its submission.

We request the Government to clarify whether specific measures to ensure that workers who are victims of discrimination on the basis of HIV status, actual or perceived, have effective access to legal remedies. We invite the Government to shed light on the body or bodies in charge of dealing with cases of discrimination.

The third issue concerns the national policy, which is the core of the Convention. On the implementation of the national policy, in line with Article 2 of the Convention, the Committee of Experts requested the Government to provide more information on the two documents developed at the national level namely, the National Human Rights Action Plan of 2015–19 and the Office of the Ombudsman’s Special Report on Racism and Discrimination. The former indicates legislative reforms and research on possible discrimination under the previous legislation, while the latter presents recommendations for the Government in terms of programmes and strategies and for employers’ organizations with respect to their action in the workplace.

The Government explained how a series of obsolete laws have been repealed by the Repeal of Obsolete Law Act No. 21 of 2018 because they were discriminatory in nature, and that further research was conducted on other laws, including on disabilities. The outcome of this research is currently being discussed under the specific Namibian Parliamentary context. Among the activities reported by the Government, we would like to underline the research and recommendations made by the Ombudsman on reasons why racism, racial and other forms of discrimination still persist after 27 years of Namibian independence. Since the report was submitted to the National Assembly in October 2017, we would like to ask the Government how that process has been followed up and whether there is a plan of action for implementing the Ombudsman’s recommendations. We would also like to know more about the establishment of the National Human Rights Action Plan for the next period starting in 2020.

The fourth and last issue concerns the specific groups protected under Articles 1(1)(b) and 5(2). The Committee of Experts referred to the three designated groups that the Government has considered as requiring additional protection under the Affirmative Action (Employment) Act 29 of 1998, and on which the EEC is tasked with the publication of a report measuring the impact of the specific protection.

The EEC report for 2016–17 indicated that there was significant room for improvement on the inclusion of all workers, not only white employees, into positions of management and for employment of persons with disabilities. To overcome these challenges, the EEC presented a number of proposals, including a legislative reform to the Affirmative Action (Employment) Act 29 of 1998, a review of guidelines for employers and a better case management system.

The Employer members understand from the Government’s submission that the legislative reform took place in 2007 with the Affirmative Action (Employment) Amendment Act 6 of 2007 and that the Labour Advisory Council provided some input and returned the Act for the incorporation.

The Employer members request the Government of Namibia to provide the final legislation once adopted. However, the Employer members also note that the 2007 amendments require employers to issue positive steps to further the employment of persons from the designated groups.

Worker members – We are examining the Government of Namibia’s application of Convention No. 111. According to Namibia’s National Human Rights Action Plan, several groups are identified as being exposed to the risk of occupational discrimination. These include women and indigenous people, while others face discrimination based on HIV status, age (both children and older persons), sexual orientation and disability.

We are concerned that race-based occupational segregation in the labour market prevails. For example, as documented by the report of the EEC for 2015–16 and for 2016‑17, employees of African descent constitute 93 per cent of the workforce, but they occupy only 26 per cent of managerial positions. Meanwhile, in 2018, 56 per cent of executive director positions were held by white employees, an improvement of only 3 per cent on the figures for 2010.

Furthermore, sex-based occupational segregation in the labour market persists and the representation of women in managerial positions in the private sector remains very low. This was also raised by the United Nations Country Team in Namibia in its submission at the Universal Periodic Review of Namibia that took place in May 2021.

Workers with disabilities are almost absent from the labour market, accounting for a mere 0.4 per cent of the workforce and being under-represented at every occupational level, as documented by the 2015–16 report of the EEC.

As the Convention acknowledges in its Preamble, the Declaration of Philadelphia affirms that “all human beings, irrespective of race, creed or sex, have the right to pursue both their material well-being and their spiritual development in conditions of freedom and dignity, of economic security and equal opportunity”. In line with this, the scope of the Convention includes the elimination of any discrimination in respect of all aspects of employment and occupation, including in the form of sexual harassment, through the development of concrete measures that ensure that there is equality of opportunity in both law and practice.

The Labour Act of 2007 generally prohibits discrimination in employment and occupation, based on numerous grounds but, for some reason, it fails to include several groups, which are otherwise referenced and protected in different contexts, in the chapter protecting against unfair, discriminatory dismissal. Because of this, the law does not explicitly prohibit dismissal based on HIV status, physical or mental disability or family responsibilities. We recall that the Committee of Experts has been raising this issue since 2011, with no effect so far. This gap in protection must be closed as soon as possible.

Cases of discrimination in employment and occupation should be dealt with by labour inspectors and labour courts, the records of which are one valuable source of information on progress. However, the Government was not able to identify any new case law dealing with victims of occupational discrimination on the basis of actual or perceived HIV status. The last known court case dates back 20 years. Ensuring non-discrimination in employment and occupation of people with positive HIV status (either real or perceived) is of crucial importance for a fair and inclusive labour market. This is even more important in the case of Namibia, given that, although the country has made tremendous progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS, it still ranks fifth highest in the world in terms of its HIV burden, with an estimated 12.1 per cent of adults aged 15–49 living with HIV. While the Government, in its additional information regarding the observations of the Committee of Experts, presents the absence of cases as proof of success of changes to the law, the unfortunate truth is that a paucity of cases dealt with by the courts and labour inspectors often indicates significant barriers to remedy for victims, including a lack of awareness about rights and the fear of retaliation. The Government should acknowledge this and improve its actions, including data gathering, in this area.

With respect to the implementation of the national equality policy as prescribed by Article 2 of the Convention, the Government of Namibia adopted the National Human Rights Action Plan for 2015–19. The Plan contained commitments to promote equality, including with respect to groups such as women, indigenous people, people with disabilities and the LGBTI community.

The Plan also referred to research activities and a review of legislation, for example to include race as part of the affirmative action criteria in the Affirmative Action (Employment) Act 29 of 1998 and in updating the Racial Discrimination Prohibition Act (Act No. 26 of 1991). However, while the Government did initiate several legislative reviews, these initiatives are still at the preliminary stages of a legislative process. Accordingly, even though it was designed to be delivered by 2019, the National Human Rights Action Plan has not yet led to concrete results. Likewise, there appear to have been serious delays in implementing the recommendation of the Special Report on Racism and Discrimination, published by the Office of the Ombudsman in 2017. This report included a long list of substantial recommendations, for the Government as well as for the employers’ organizations, which, according to the Ombudsman himself, were supposed to be acted on by ministries within six months of the publication of the report, while the employers were supposed to undertake a review of recruitment procedures, training to detect discrimination, establishment of procedures to deal with discrimination claims, and other actions. However, when it comes to implementation, the Government indicates that the only action taken so far on these important recommendations was to disseminate them to members of the Namibia Employers’ Federation. While these various plans, analyses and research documents are potentially useful tools in support of efforts to eliminate discrimination in employment and occupation, they alone are not enough. To meet the aims of the Convention, concrete, proactive actions, appropriate to national conditions and practice, are required to address the underlying causes of discrimination and the cycle of inequality resulting from discrimination. Adoption of documents and their dissemination is not sufficient.

As already mentioned, occupational segregation in the labour market prevails and the representation of racially disadvantaged workers, women and workers with disabilities remains very low at higher occupational levels. The Government reported a number of planned affirmative action measures, such as a review of legislation and implementation of the provisions of the Affirmative Action (Employment) Act 29 of 1998, which require employers to institute positive steps to further the employment of people from disadvantaged groups; the adoption of the New Equitable Economic Empowerment Framework Bill 2015; and the promotion of access to training and employment opportunities for disadvantaged groups of workers.

The EEC also has planned a number of actions, including visits to workplaces, prosecution of employers not complying with the law, and maintaining a case management system. However, the Government has not shared any information about the results expected through these initiatives, such as targets on improved representativity of workforce demographics at workplaces in different sectors.

We recall that affirmative action on behalf of persons belonging to groups that have suffered disadvantage is an important component of a national equality policy. Concrete measures are needed to ensure equality of opportunity in practice, taking into account the diversity of situations of the people concerned, so as to halt discrimination, redress the effects of past discriminatory practices and restore a balance, as observed by the General Survey of 2012.

To conclude, while the Government of Namibia has developed many important initiatives with the view to eliminating discrimination, proactive, verifiable implementation of these initiatives, as well as greater enforcement through labour courts and inspections, are still needed. We call on the Government to take action to fully comply with the obligations under the Convention.

Government member, Zimbabwe – We would like to thank the representative of the Government of Namibia for providing this Committee with its positions on the issues raised by the Committee of Experts and on the subjects of the discussion in this Committee. My delegation appreciates the information provided by Namibia on how HIV and AIDS-related labour complaints are dealt with and the status of the complaints launched against the Namibian Defence Forces. Furthermore, my delegation appreciates the measures that Namibia has taken in implementing its National Human Rights Action Plan, as well as its affirmative action plan, in the context of the world of work and the work of the EEC.

My delegation has taken note of the information and progress on the development of the New Equitable Economic Empowerment Framework Bill 2015 that resonates with the principles enshrined in the Convention on discrimination in the labour markets. We also take note of the willingness of the Republic of Namibia to work with the ILO and urge the Office to provide the requested technical assistance.

Government member, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela — The Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela expresses its appreciation for the presentation by the honourable Minister of Labour of Namibia, with respect to compliance with the Convention. We have noted that the Government of Namibia has paid careful attention to the comments of the Committee of Experts, reaffirmed its commitment to eradicate HIV/AIDS and emphasized its control of the transmission of this virus. We recognize that the Namibian Labour Act provides for effective mechanisms for victims of discrimination on grounds of HIV/AIDS status.

The 2021 report of the Committee of Experts states that the Government of Namibia has reported that the Labour Act is being revised with a view to broadening the prohibition against dismissal of a worker on grounds of HIV/AIDS status, and mental or physical disability, and that family responsibilities are protected.

We also recognize the progress made in relation to the National Human Rights Action Plan, in which the right not to be discriminated against is identified, particularly with regard to women, indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities and the LGBTI population.

In this regard, we also appreciate the tripartite Labour Advisory Council and the EEC in place in Namibia, which deal with equality in employment.

Lastly, the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela hopes that the Committee’s conclusions will be objective and balanced in order that the Government of Namibia continues to make progress in complying with the Convention.

Worker member, Zimbabwe – I speak on behalf of the Zimbabwean workers, in solidarity with the workers of Namibia. We note some worrying issues contained in the Committee of Experts’ comments. These relate to persons disadvantaged on the grounds of race, in particular women and persons with disabilities. We note the Government’s efforts to address this issue through the establishment of the EEC. We note the measures taken by that Commission to redress some of the issues. However, we remain concerned that the EEC is not fully capacitated to undertake its work. Additionally, the EEC does not have a comprehensive information management system and reliable data, including on affirmative action. While we have acknowledged its work over the years, we noted that it has been mostly confined to issues of race between whites and blacks, while neglecting other forms of discrimination that are among the majority and minority ethnic groups. Certain black majority ethnic groups predominate employment in ethnic minorities areas, recruiting people of their own ethnicity and displacing indigenous people from employment and positions of power. The majority ethnic group is highly represented at the top in most occupations, including in the Government. Minority ethnic groups are deprived of opportunities as a strategy to keep them in lower positions.

We urge the Government of Namibia to address the above concerns before the 2022 International Labour Conference, and provide their progress report in this regard. We request the Committee to consider granting technical assistance to the Government to address these concerns.

Interpretation from Arabic: Government member, Egypt – We have taken note of the efforts of the Government of Namibia towards the application of the Convention. This confirms Namibia’s intention to work in accordance with the Convention. The Convention provides for a dispute resolution mechanism with regard to all issues relating to discrimination. The Government of Namibia also commits to take the necessary measures to fight HIV/AIDS, in order to ensure that legal provisions are effective and effectively applied.

Decisions have been taken to establish a National Human Rights Action Plan. The Government is also carrying out tripartite consultations with those involved in order to develop a white paper for indigenous peoples in Namibia. It adopted the Affirmative Action (Employment) Amendment Act 6 of 2007, which sets out the obligation for employers to take positive measures without discriminating against certain groups, broadening the possibility of fighting against discrimination. We welcome the efforts taken by Namibia to bring its laws into line with the provisions of the Convention and we very much hope that its efforts will be taken into account in the conclusions.

Worker member, France – Issues related to all forms of discrimination are unfortunately often reinforced when the economic context is challenging. People in vulnerable situations are thereby the first to be affected in terms of access to training and employment, among other things. These difficult economic contexts also foster multiple forms of discrimination. The case of Namibia is in this sense an example of this state of affairs.

While the Committee of Experts’ report refers to a number of regulatory frameworks aimed at combating different forms of discrimination in this State, it should be noted that the report does not provide statistical data and facts to enable an examination of the actual effectiveness in practice of these legislative aspects or regulatory frameworks. These data are also very difficult to find or date back to periods that are, in some cases, relatively distant. Similarly, the report fails to highlight the possible cultural and institutional factors that contribute to generating such discrimination. It would therefore be useful to have sufficient and reliable statistical data to enable the Committee of Experts to examine the ways in which Namibia intends to put an end to such discrimination in practice.

Equally, with regard to certain grounds of discrimination, particularly those related to HIV/AIDS, the Committee of Experts notes that the courts have not examined any complaints on this specific matter for 20 years. It is important to assess solutions to enable the judicial system to more effectively take account of cases of discrimination. Courts must be able to investigate, prosecute and punish enterprises that use discriminatory practices in employment and occupation. It is essential, in this regard, that victims can lodge complaints safely and are protected. There must also be provision for granting them legal and psychological support.

Further, employers have an important role in this regard, and freely chosen collective bargaining carried out in good faith is essential to negotiate policies and programmes aimed at eliminating and preventing all forms of discrimination in the workplace, and to implement remedies for workers who are victims of such discrimination.

Government member, India – India welcomes the delegation of the Government of Namibia and thanks it for providing the latest update on the issue under consideration. India appreciates the commitment of the Government of Namibia to fulfil its international labour obligations, including those related to the Convention, through progressive implementation of the relevant recommendations of the ILO and the willingness to constructively work with it.

We take positive note of various concrete steps taken by the Government of Namibia to implement the National Human Rights Action Plan 2015–19. Notable among these are: (i) the Law Reform and Development Commission’s project on obsolete laws which resulted in the repeal of the Obsolete Laws Act, 2018; and (ii) the ongoing deliberations among the stakeholders for repealing and replacement of the Racial Discrimination Prohibition Act, 1991. We also welcome the ongoing round of social dialogue that the Government of Namibia is organizing in order to enact the Equitable Economic Empowerment legislation.

We request the ILO and its constituents to fully support the Government of Namibia and provide all necessary technical assistance enabling the EEC to develop and implement a comprehensive information management system. We take this opportunity to wish the Government of Namibia all success in its endeavours.

Worker member, Botswana – The Botswana Federation of Trade Unions notes that discrimination against people living with HIV and with disabilities, though existing, can be defeated. The Namibian Government has been previously urged, as it is urged now by the Committee of Experts, to take measures that will ensure coherence between section 5 of its Labour Act, which defines discrimination, and section 33 on the prohibition of dismissal based on HIV and AIDS status, as well as the degree of physical or mental disability, and family responsibilities.

We also urge that the Government take cognizance of both the substance and essence of its National Human Rights Action Plan 2015–19, which identified critical areas of focus, among them the right not to be discriminated against. This particularly relates to certain groups including women, indigenous people, people with disabilities and LGBTI persons. We posit that, among other things, such measures require strong political will and deliberate effort to create an environment that is barrier-free for the equalization of opportunities for all.

There is also a need for the development of integrated occupational health services and a systematic endeavour at eliminating practices that promote stigma in the workplace. Ensuring increased access to technology related to assertive devices to create an environment to grant people with disabilities much-desired autonomy and guarantee dignity and respect, is equally imperative. One of the ways in which the above can be achieved is to grow awareness through public education and to benchmark against countries that have already made progress in destigmatizing HIV and disability.

Against this background, the Botswana Federation of Trade Unions submits that, in light of initiatives already taken by the Government as epitomized by the National Human Rights Action Plan 2015–19 and the report of the Ombudsman of November 2017, there seems to be ample potential and opportunity for remedying the concerns raised by workers, subject only to collectivism, cooperation and sound political will.

Government member, Malawi – Malawi has taken note of the observations made by the Committee of Experts contained in its 2020 Supplementary Report in respect of Namibia’s application of the Convention. At the same time, the Government of Malawi appreciates the information provided by the Government of Namibia on the implementation of the Convention.

Malawi has taken note that Namibia is appearing before this Committee for the first time. We have also taken note that the current legal remedies are effective to curb discrimination, including on the basis of a real or perceived HIV-positive status. Malawi applauds Namibia for the concrete and constructive steps taken by the Government to implement the National Human Rights Action Plan 2015–19, including the legislative reforms to ensure that the country’s laws are in conformity with the provisions of the Convention, and the repeal of laws that were perceived as discriminatory in nature.

The Government of Malawi commends Namibia for the continued engagement with the social partners and private sector on the legislative reforms, including the upcoming New Equitable Economic Empowerment Framework Bill 2015. The Government of Malawi implores the ILO to provide technical assistance as requested by the Government of Namibia.

Worker member, Democratic Republic of the Congo– This intervention aims to provide supplementary information to the well-presented report on Namibia of the Committee of Experts. In Namibia, as is the case in Africa, women’s access to, and insertion and participation in the formal labour market, while increasing, is poor. Actions that discriminate against women’s participation make genuine positive actions slow to show results. Breastfeeding, for example, when not managed properly, can contribute to reducing women’s chances of employment and advancement.

Just as the Namibian Government is promoting the benefits of breastfeeding, there are no corresponding measures for legal protection and assistance for nursing mothers. In fact, many nursing mothers would prefer to cut short as much as possible the period during which they breastfeed in order to return to work, as they face benefit cuts when they go on maternity leave.

In addition, the Social Security Commission has a very low ceiling for compensation for women who take a three-month maternity leave. This is barely enough for working mothers. It forces most mothers to renounce maternity leave altogether or, in some circumstances, to interrupt it for fear of loss of income.

These discriminatory realities infringe women’s reproductive rights and violate their fundamental rights to remunerative and productive employment. To avoid these situations, many women, especially young women, have chosen to put off their maternity and some do not wish to have children at all. These are forced and avoidable choices. The Government must put an end to this nightmare for women of reproductive age.

Government member, Ghana – Ghana prioritizes human rights issues and, as such, recognizes any form of discrimination as a serious violation of human rights, as enunciated by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Government of Ghana therefore commends Namibia for bringing its regulations in line with the provisions of the Convention. Section 5(2) of Namibia’s Labour Act of 2007 explicitly prohibits all forms of discrimination in relation to employment decisions either directly or indirectly and lists all the important grounds of discrimination, which include HIV/AIDS. The Act also provides alternatives to aggrieved employees to seek redress on unlawful employment decisions. It is also important to acknowledge the commitment of Namibia in the fight against HIV, making Namibia the first in Africa to have more than three-quarters of its HIV-affected population virally suppressed.

Ghana further notes the concrete measures taken by the Government of Namibia, including the development and implementation of the National Human Rights Action Plan 2015–19, to eliminate all forms of discrimination in employment and occupation. Through the implementation of the Action Plan, the Government of Namibia has repealed some of the laws that were discriminatory in nature.

The Government of Ghana supports Namibia’s request to the ILO for technical assistance to enhance the operations of the EEC to develop and implement a comprehensive information management system for case management, accurate data collection and analyses, as well as evidence-based planning and policymaking with respect to affirmative action and discrimination in employment.

Government member, Botswana – We thank the representative of the Government of Namibia for the detailed response to the issues raised by the Committee of Experts. It is clear that the Government, in collaboration with the social partners, has made significant progress on the issues raised by the Committee of Experts. We note with satisfaction that discrimination on the grounds of HIV or AIDS status has been declared unlawful in Namibia, as provided for in the Labour Act of 2007. It is also clear that the prohibition of dismissal of employees due to HIV and AIDS status, actual or perceived, the degree of physical or mental disability, and family responsibility is already provided for in section 5 of the Labour Act.

Furthermore, we note the commitment of the Government to formulate the Equitable Economic Empowerment legislation, the process of which is in the consultation stages between the Government and stakeholders. Accordingly, this Committee should urge the Government of Namibia to expedite this process.

We appreciate that Namibia has acknowledged its limitations to collecting crucial data relating to discrimination. We therefore commend the Government of Namibia for having taken the critical step to request ILO technical assistance to enable the EEC to develop and implement a comprehensive information management system, which we hope and trust will be provided by the ILO.

Government member, Burkina Faso – The Government of Burkina Faso is very pleased to take the floor on the occasion of the examination of this individual case, which involves the sister republic of Namibia, on the application in law and practice of Convention No. 111. The elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation, which is the subject of this Convention, is one of the components of the fundamental principles and rights at work enshrined by the ILO. My country strongly encourages the promotion of the fundamental principles and rights at work as pillars for the achievement of decent work and of the objective of social justice, which is dear to our common Organization, and will spare no effort to support Member States in this regard.

The Government of Namibia is called before the Committee, further to the observations made by the Committee of Experts, for non-conformity of certain of its domestic legislative provisions with certain key principles contained in the Convention, which was ratified on 13 November 2001. Following up on these observations, the Namibian Government provided a reply containing some very relevant information. Indeed, the reply illustrates the following significant actions: the protection of workers against all prohibited forms of discrimination through the existing administrative and judicial mechanisms; the implementation of the National Human Rights Action Plan 2015–19; the initiation of a drafting process for a white paper on the rights of indigenous peoples, based on the report produced by the Ombudsman and submitted to the National Assembly; the progressive implementation of the recommendations resulting from the work of the EEC; and the implementation of the drafting process for the New Equitable Economic Empowerment Framework Bill 2015.

All of these actions, which are under way, in a global context of the COVID-19 pandemic, demonstrate the consented actions of Namibia to give full effect to the Convention. For this reason, Burkina Faso calls on the Committee to give Namibia time to follow up these actions, with ILO support if necessary.

Government member, Ethiopia – My delegation would like to commend the Honourable Minister of Labour of Namibia for the comprehensive report on the application of the Convention. We took note of the information provided by the Government of Namibia that the country’s existing legal framework prohibits discrimination on all grounds. We further noted from the Government’s report the implementation of the National Human Rights Action Plan 2015–19, as requested by the Committee of Experts. We are also informed that the review of the Affirmative Action (Employment) Act 29 of 1998 has already been finalized and a task force has been established to prepare the draft Amendment Bill.

As indicated in the Government’s report, a proposal for Equitable Economic Empowerment legislation has been under discussion between the Government and stakeholders. The Government is currently conducting another round of social dialogue with the private sector on a redrafted Bill and a final Bill will be submitted to the Cabinet for consideration before it is tabled before the Assembly.

Finally, the Government of Namibia openly indicated its limited capacity to collect data relating to discrimination, and requested ILO technical assistance to enable the EEC to develop and implement a comprehensive information management system to address electronic affirmative action report submission and case management.

Since the Government of Namibia is demonstrating concrete efforts at its fullest capacity to progressively ensure the conformity of the Convention with its national laws and practice, we encourage the ILO to provide technical assistance to complement the Government’s efforts to ensure effective application of the Convention. In conclusion, we hope that the Committee in its conclusions will take into consideration all the concrete information provided by the Government of Namibia, as well as the constructive comments and discussions held in this august house.

Interpretation from Arabic: Government member, Algeria – At the outset, Algeria welcomes the progress made by the Republic of Namibia, in particular in the implementation of the provisions of the Convention. In this regard, the Algerian delegation applauds the measures envisaged by the Government of Namibia to ensure alignment with international law and best practices relating to the promotion of equal rights and opportunities at work.

In its pursuit of greater public policy coherence, the Algerian delegation encourages Namibia to continue its efforts to ensure a comprehensive and integrated approach to non-discrimination, and to the consideration of particular needs, such as persons with disabilities and those living with HIV/AIDS.

Algeria also applauds the Government of Namibia for its commendable and constructive efforts to advance the process of amending labour legislation to prohibit the dismissal of workers on the grounds of HIV/AIDS status, degree of physical or mental disability, or family responsibilities; and for the adoption of the New Equitable Economic Empowerment Framework Bill 2015, as well as for the development of programmes for access to training and employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.

Algeria also believes that the Republic of Namibia could, in cooperation with the ILO, further its consideration to improve the institutional framework and thereby fulfil previous lack of action with regard to combating discrimination against vulnerable groups and behaviour leading to an indecent work environment.

Worker member, Democratic Republic of the Congo – With regard to HIV/AIDS, as noted by the Committee of Experts in its report, Namibia has become the first country in Africa of which over three quarters of its population is affected by HIV, which is a very worrying situation of a brother country. But it is regrettable that Article 1(1)(b) of the Convention is not sufficiently exploited in this case, particularly in terms of HIV status. Echoing the comments of the Committee of Experts, we call on the Government to adopt specific and ambitious measures to guarantee that workers who are victims of discrimination on the basis of HIV status (actual or perceived) have effective access to legal remedies.

With regard to access to vocational training, in line with Article 1(3) of the Convention, the employers of the Democratic Republic of the Congo appreciate the efforts made by the Government to promote access to training and employment opportunities for designated groups. We also call on the Government to review regularly the affirmative action measures to assess their relevance and impact and to provide information on any measures taken is this regard and the results achieved.

However, given the different forms of discrimination in employment and occupation, as experienced and reported in Namibia, we call on the Government to adopt a concerted approach with the involvement of the social partners and request ILO assistance with a view to the positive development of the world of work in respect of the Convention.

Government member, Angola – Angola would like to congratulate the Namibian delegation for submitting its report, as well as for its willingness to request ILO technical assistance to develop and implement a comprehensive information management system. It seems that this system will allow the collection and analysis of data, and compile evidence for cases regarding affirmative action and discrimination. In this regard, it should be noted that this is the first time that the Government of Namibia has been asked to present itself to this Committee.

We understand that discrimination on the basis of status is illegal and punishable by law in Namibia. Thus the Government of Namibia has been working with all stakeholders on improving the values of social justice, making the law accessible through constructive engagement with national and regional institutions, including the Southern Africa Development Community. In this regard, it is noteworthy that the prohibition of unfair discrimination, hate speech and harassment was circulated in Namibia for comments from the various stakeholders and a consultative meeting was held on 28 May 2021. Ultimately, the Racial Discrimination Prohibition Act was repealed.

Taking into account the commitments made, the Angolan delegation congratulates Namibia on results achieved so far and encourages the Government to continue with the process of legislative reforms in order to improve labour legislation, conforming it with international instruments of the ILO. The country will therefore need technical assistance.

Observer, International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) – The Government of Namibia has responded that discrimination on the grounds of HIV or AIDS status is unlawful, as decided in the case of Nanditume v. the Minister of Defence by the High Court in 2000. However, discrimination on one’s HIV status continues to haunt employees in the Namibian labour market in several opaque and hidden ways.

Recruitment into the disciplined forces still comes with a pre-employment health test. The tests are justified presumably to determine the health status of the prospective employees to purportedly render them the necessary assistance once they are employed. Is it not possible and better to render them such health assistance after they have been recruited?

The next difficulty that arises from the pre-employment test is the discrimination that follows in its wake with regard to the medical insurance benefits which are literally curtailed together with any further prospects of full employment in the government sectors.

In terms of the pension fund that influences the employment of staff in government service, once an employee had been found unfit by the board for medical or health-related reasons, they cannot be re-employed in government services on a full-time basis with the retention of their pension and other benefits. Suppose an employee is found unfit at age 28 and re-employed on a part-time basis, less the medical and other benefits at the age of 30. It follows that such an employee will work for 30 years without any medical aid and any other benefit that goes with full employment status in the public services.

It is our submission that employees who have fully recovered from HIV/AIDS complications, or any other ailments for that matter, must not suffer any form of discrimination relating to their employment. What has been said concerning HIV status above is also true in relation to mental and physical disability as well.

This Conference needs to take note of the question of compatibility, because it is the very same reason being used to discriminate against persons with disabilities or mental health problems. It is our submission that there must be a compatibility requirement for people who have been declared by medical doctors as fully recovered to resume employment suited to their current state of health.

Government member, Sudan – On behalf on the Government of Sudan, I would like to present a statement in support of the Government of Namibia with regard to the application of the Convention. We wish to make this statement following the information provided by the Namibian Government. Namibia ratified the Convention in 2001 and this is the first time that it is called to appear before your Committee for the application of this Convention.

The Convention has been incorporated into the labour law and the country has amended the sections indicated by the Committee of Experts in order to bring them into conformity with the international labour standards. The Government of Namibia has taken effective measures to provide any victims with effective legal remedies. It has also taken effective measures with regard to equality in employment within the framework of its National Human Rights Action Plan 2015–19. We wish to support the Government of Namibia with the measures it has adopted in this regard.

Government member, Eswatini – Eswatini has the honour to join the discussion of the case of Namibia on Convention No. 111. My delegation would like to recall that Member States who ratify this Convention undertake to declare and pursue a national policy designed to promote, by methods appropriate to national conditions and practice, equality of opportunity and treatment in respect of employment and occupation, with a view to eliminating any discrimination in respect thereof.

We would also like to draw the attention of the Committee to the provisions of Article 3 of the Convention, which provides that the promotion of acceptance and observance of the national policy eliminating any discrimination shall be pursued, by methods appropriate to national conditions and practice, with the cooperation of employers’ and workers’ organizations and other appropriate bodies. What we wish to underscore here is that this is a shared responsibility.

From the information that has been provided by the Government of Namibia, my delegation has taken note that both through legislative and national policy instruments and action plans, Namibia has endeavoured to implement the Convention in both law and practice. Reference in this regard is made to the following policy and legislative instruments, and action plans that have been adopted by the Government over the years: (i) the National Code on HIV/AIDS and Employment for HIV Prevention and AIDS Management, 1998; (ii) the National Human Rights Action Plan, which identified as one of its main areas of focus “the right not to be discriminated against”, in particular with respect to certain groups including women, indigenous people, persons with disabilities and other persons; (iii) the Prohibition of Unfair Discrimination, Hate Speech and Harassment Bill, which will repeal the Racial Discrimination Prohibition Act No. 26 of 1991; (iv) the publication in November 2017 of the Office of the Ombudsman’s Special Report on Racism and Discrimination, which included recommendations for the Government (namely formulation of programmes and strategies, awareness-raising, support to victims) and for the employers’ organizations (namely the review of recruitment procedures, training to detect discrimination, establishment of procedures to deal with discrimination claims); (v) the development of a White Paper on Indigenous People’s Rights which has since been submitted to Cabinet; (vi) the adoption of the Affirmative Action (Employment) Amendment Act 6 of 2007, which requires employers to take positive steps to further the employment of persons from designated groups; and (vii) the establishment of the EEC, which delivered its report in 2017.

The cumulative effect of all the forgoing activities should surely accrue in favour of the Government of Namibia as efforts that demonstrate the limitless intentions of the Government to implement this Convention in both law and practice.

Government member, Uganda – My delegation notes that this is the first time Namibia is appearing before this Committee and has commenced data collection for the detailed response provided. Allow me to address the issues brought to the attention of Namibia under the Convention. We welcome the efforts undertaken by Namibia and further call on the Office to extend technical support to address the challenges of data collection and analysis in the context of affirmative action. We consider that further support from the Office to the tripartite partners facilitates the development of appropriate training programmes to promote the objective of affirmative action. Once again, my delegation takes note of consistent progress, in particular the social dialogue for inclusivity and for formulation of the Bill to be submitted to Cabinet. Finally, my delegation is persuaded that Namibia has taken the right steps and calls on the Office to provide technical support to build capacity in respect of data collection and other relevant areas.

Government representative – On behalf of my delegation, I thank you for your excellent leadership in steering the discussions today. I also wish to thank all the delegations that took the time to participate during Namibia’s presentation to the Conference Committee. Your valuable input, comments and recommendations are instrumental to our continued efforts to ensure full implementation of human rights in the world of work for the benefit of our people. The high participation levels demonstrated through interventions and advice offered here today is highly encouraging and serves as motivation for Namibia’s commitment to non-discrimination and equality in the world of work.

As stated in my statement, Namibia remains committed to the grand national project to eliminate discrimination. The protection provided by the labour law is broader in nature and scope in that it relates to prohibition discrimination in any employment decision in all areas of employment from entry to exit. The inadequacy in the protection of dismissal based on HIV/AIDS status, as it is perceived by the Committee of Experts, is under consideration by the tripartite task force. Namibia is proud of the achievements relating to the elimination of discrimination in employment since independence.

In conclusion, let me reiterate once again, that Namibia will continue to consult social partners on the application of Convention No. 111, as well as implementation of other ILO Conventions.

Worker members – We note the comments of the Government of Namibia. We emphasize that the Government has an obligation to respect international labour standards and the guidance provided by the Committee of Experts in line with their mandate. It also has a responsibility to respond thoroughly to the questions raised by the Committee of Experts. Looking back through the documentation for this case, we see repeated calls from the Committee of Experts for the same information. We remind the Government to treat the Committee of Experts’ questions with the utmost seriousness.

The principal objective of the Convention is to eliminate all discrimination in respect of all aspects of employment and occupation – as defined in the Convention – through the concrete and progressive development of equality of opportunity and treatment in law and practice. In doing so, it also makes our societies more fair and more equal. But it is a dynamic Convention, asking Members to keep in mind the goal of eliminating any discrimination in employment and occupation. In pursuit of this, States are required to develop and implement a multifaceted national equality policy and they should keep this under review: policies and practices which have previously had some success, but which have stalled, need regular revision if progress is to be maintained towards that aim of eliminating any discrimination. Of course, the adoption of a national equality policy presupposes the adoption of specific and concrete implementation measures, including the need for a clear and comprehensive legislative framework, to ensure that the right to equality and non-discrimination is effective in practice.

We note the Government of Namibia’s own concerns, relayed to journalists in 2019, that innovative ways are required to speed up progress towards employment equity. We trust that this concern will translate into the political will necessary to take the actions needed to match policy and practice with ambition.

With a view to achieving the elimination of any discrimination, including in the form of sexual harassment – and this is the challenge Convention No. 111 demands of us – we call on the Government to take proactive measures to address the underlying causes of discrimination, and de facto inequalities resulting from discrimination, in employment and occupation, to keep their effectiveness under review, and in doing so to be responsive to the guidance of the ILO and its Committee of Experts.

We call on the Government of Namibia to extend the prohibition of dismissal to HIV and AIDS status (actual or perceived), physical or mental disability and family responsibilities, and to make this explicit in law. Victims of workplace discrimination should have effective access to judicial remedy. We note the Government’s assurance in its supplementary written submission, and its statement here, that these groups are protected, but would also note that if the ILO’s foremost Committee of Experts is uncertain of whether a group is fully covered, it is likely that a member of that group facing potential discrimination will also be unsure. This represents a barrier to justice and remedy and should be addressed speedily.

We also call on the Government of Namibia to step up efforts to fully implement its national equality policy. The Government should provide detailed information on the concrete measures taken to implement the actions set out in the National Human Rights Action Plan 2015–19, in particular the review of the legislative and regulatory framework, and report on the results achieved. Further follow-up should be given to the recommendations in the Office of the Ombudsman’s Special Report on Racism and Discrimination, now several years old, and the practical steps taken to address such discrimination.

Lastly, we recall the importance of affirmative action, provided for in the Convention, on behalf of workers belonging to groups that have suffered disadvantage, in achieving an effective national equality policy. We call on the Government of Namibia to take action to ensure that disadvantaged groups of workers can enjoy their right to non-discrimination in employment and occupation, including through affirmative action. The Government of Namibia should promote access of disadvantaged workers to employment and to particular occupations, to vocational training and to non-discriminatory terms and conditions of employment. Accordingly, we call on the Government to respond to requests of the Committee of Experts and to provide information about the results of current affirmative action initiatives, as well as details of the planned legislative reviews.

The Government must accept an ILO technical mission to provide the necessary assistance to not only develop information management systems, but to support full compliance with all the obligations under the Convention.

Employer members – The Employers’ group would like to thank the Government of Namibia for the comprehensive and useful information, especially on the implementation, in law and practice, of the Convention, and all the legislative changes that have been adopted or are under way.

We would like to also thank the delegates that took the floor and participated in today’s discussion. In light of the debate, the Employers’ group invites the Government to:

• adopt specific measures to ensure that workers who are victims of discrimination on the basis of HIV status, actual or perceived, have effective access to legal remedies, and also to shed light on the body or bodies in charge of dealing with cases of discrimination in Namibia;
• report on the follow-up and action plan to the Office of the Ombudsman’s Special Report on Racism and Discrimination submitted to the National Assembly in October 2017;
• report on the follow-up to the National Human Rights Action Plan 2015–19, if any;
• report on the final legislative changes to the Affirmative Action (Employment) Amendment Act 6 of 2007, following the tripartite Labour Advisory Council input and given the work of the national task force;
• clarify how, in the context of Namibia’s redress programme, decisions of the EEC affect employers’ ability to fill certain job positions;
• report on the reform of the New Equitable Economic Empowerment Framework Bill 2015, which is almost ready for Cabinet consideration, before it is tabled in the National Assembly in the third or fourth quarter of the 2021 to 2022 financial year; and lastly
• avail itself of any ILO technical assistance required.

Conclusions of the Committee

The Committee took note of the written and oral information provided by the Government representative and the discussion that followed.

Taking into account the discussion, the Committee urges the Government to take all necessary measures, in consultation with the social partners, to:

• adopt specific measures to ensure that workers who are victims of discrimination on the basis of any of the prohibited grounds have effective access to legal remedies;
• provide information on the number of cases of discrimination dealt with by labour courts and on their outcome;
• report on the follow-up and action plan to implement the recommendations of the Office of the Ombudsman’s Special Report on Racism and Discrimination submitted to the National Assembly in October 2017, including with regards to the review of recruitment procedures, training to detect discrimination, and the establishment of procedures to deal with discrimination claims;
• provide detailed information on the concrete measures taken to implement the National Human Rights Action Plan for the period following 2015–19, if any, and in particular the review of the legislative and regulatory framework, and report on the results achieved;
• report on the actions taken to promote access to employment and occupational training for groups disadvantaged because of race, gender or disability, pursuant to the Affirmative Action (Employment) Act, 1998;
• report on the planned legislative review, including the final legislative changes to the Affirmative Action (Employment) Amendment Act 6 of 2007;
• reinforce the mandate of the Employment Equity Commission (EEC) to deal with cases of discrimination, strengthen its capacity and clarify how its decisions affect the employers’ filling of certain job positions; and
• report on the reform to the New Equitable Economic Empowerment Framework Bill 2015.

The Committee requests that the Government accept an ILO technical advisory mission to provide the necessary assistance to support full compliance with the obligations under the Convention.

The Committee requests the Government to submit a report, following consultation with the social partners, to the Committee of Experts before its next meeting in 2021.

Government representative – Namibia takes this opportunity to thank you for your able leadership on steering the Committee during the 109th Session of the International Labour Conference. Since this is the first time that Namibia has appeared before the Committee, our team has learnt much from the proceedings.

Namibia is committed to implementing the provisions of the Convention and taking all necessary measures to that end in consultation with the social partners, as highlighted by the Committee’s conclusions. We will consult with our social partners and other relevant stakeholders on various items, specifically the Committee’s conclusions.

To conclude, Namibia welcomes the technical advisory mission to provide the necessary assistance to ensure full compliance with the obligations under the Convention. We propose that the mission be organized virtually so that it can proceed without delay. We commit to submitting the requested report to the Committee of Experts before its next meeting.