Chairperson of the Whole House,

I rise in support of Vote 13, with particular focus on the programme concerning Public Works and Public Property.

The Ministry has been allocated N$780 million for infrastructure development under the National Development Budget, as reflected on page 84 of the document. This allocation is vital to ensuring that the Ministry delivers quality healthcare services, enhances access to public health facilities, and promotes the overall well-being of society.

Infrastructure development does more than just improve facilities; it is a key engine for job creation, both directly through employment in construction, maintenance, and associated services, and indirectly, by stimulating related sectors such as retail, logistics, and hospitality. I am confident that this N$780 million allocation will contribute significantly to boosting economic activity and employment during this financial year.

However, Honourable Minister, as a proud labour unionist and advocate for decent work, I must raise an important concern. The construction sector, despite its potential for job creation, is often plagued by non-compliance with labour laws and exploitative working conditions.

In June 2024, a collective agreement was gazetted between the Metal and Allied Namibian Workers Union (MANWU) and the Construction Industries Federation (CIF). This agreement governs the minimum conditions of employment, including wages, hours, benefits, and safety standards for all construction workers employed in the sector.

Regrettably, many contractors who are awarded government-funded projects, including those under the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, have failed to comply with this gazetted agreement. This non-compliance directly undermines workers’ rights, distorts fair competition among contractors, and contradicts the government’s commitment to decent work.

Therefore, Honourable Minister, I propose without any additional monetary implication that your Ministry, as the client and project supervisor, strengthens compliance monitoring mechanisms. Specifically:

• During monthly site inspections, Ministry officials should include a compliance checklist aligned with the gazetted collective agreement.
• Officials must verify whether workers are paid in line with gazetted rates, provided with personal protective equipment (PPE), and working under legally acceptable conditions.
• Non-compliant contractors should be flagged, and their conduct reported to the Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations for enforcement action.

Honourable Chairperson,

If we are serious about using infrastructure investment to build a better Namibia, we must ensure that the very workers building these facilities are treated with dignity, fairness, and respect.

Let us remember: Decent work is not a favour; it is a right.

In conclusion, Honourable Minister, are you aware of the 97 former health extension workers from Okongo district who worked the whole year of 2014 without pay? It is my understanding that the Ministry has refused to pay these 97 workers despite paying their fellow colleagues for the same case from Omusati in 2018/2019. It is my understanding that NAPWU is directed to submit this case at the Office of the Labour Commission — is this really necessary rather than the Ministry meeting with NAPWU and these employees to resolve the matter?

With that, I fully support Vote 13 and look forward to seeing these projects deliver both improved healthcare infrastructure and fair, dignified employment.

I thank you.

Chairperson of the Whole House,

I rise in full support of Vote 23 and 24, under the programme of Construction and Building Works.

Honourable Minister, allow me to begin by commending your leadership and tireless energy since assuming office. Your commitment and visibility have been refreshing, and we pray that the same momentum is cascaded throughout the entire Ministry. It is our sincere hope that under your guidance, the Ministry will serve as a beacon of hope and revival for the construction sector, which currently employs 28,661 workers, as reported in the 2023 Labour Force Survey.

I also wish to congratulate you on the Ministry’s efforts to promote the inclusion of local contractors in public works. For too long, concerns have been raised about the exclusion of Namibian contractors from major infrastructure projects, such as the Karibib–Usakos road, funded by KfW, and the Hosea Kutako Airport Dual Carriageway (Phases 1, 2, and 3), co-financed by the African Development Bank, China-Aid, and the Government of Namibia.

The prevailing narrative that our local contractors lack capacity or fail to meet excessive financial requirements is both misleading and detrimental. If we are to develop and empower a competitive domestic construction industry, we must intentionally build and grow local capacity. This includes identifying capable contractors and supporting them through targeted interventions so they can scale from national to multinational operations. The time to act is now.

Another critical matter is the delay in the establishment of the National Construction Council. This Council is essential to:

• Promote fair competition,
• Prioritise Namibian contractors in national infrastructure development,
• Regulate and categorise contractors,
• Evaluate bids for government tenders more effectively, and
• Curb corrupt practices in the tendering process.

Honourable Minister, I respectfully ask: what is the status of the National Construction Council Bill?

However, I must reiterate a concern previously raised under other votes: there is a need for strengthened monitoring and enforcement of labour standards and rights on all capital projects funded or overseen by government entities. The Ministry must ensure that contractors, both local and foreign, comply with fair labour practices, provide safe working conditions, and uphold the dignity and rights of every worker involved.

Value Addition: Workers’ Rights and Development

As we deliberate these votes, let us remember that behind every kilometre of road and every brick laid in public buildings are thousands of Namibian workers, men and women whose sweat and skill drive our national development.

Furthermore, I wish to emphasise the importance of integrating vocational training graduates into public infrastructure projects. Our Vocational Training Centres continue to produce skilled artisans, many of whom struggle to find gainful employment. I urge the Ministry to form partnerships with VTCs across the country and ensure that government maintenance contracts prioritise these young artisans. Doing so will not only empower the youth but also provide hands-on experience and promote local economic development.

Transport

Honourable Minister, allow me to also commend you and your team for the bold decision to regularise the operations of seven-seater taxis, thereby creating a path for thousands of operators to earn a decent living. Your Ministry, together with its agencies and the hardworking construction workforce, has helped Namibia retain its standing as one of the African countries with the best road infrastructure.