Customize Consent Preferences

We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.

The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ... 

Always Active

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

No cookies to display.

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.

No cookies to display.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

No cookies to display.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

No cookies to display.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

No cookies to display.

Banner Left
Banner Right

Contractors urged to adhere to mandatory pension benefits

Bärbel Kirchner

The Construction Industries Federation (CIF) of Namibia said it is mandatory for construction sector employers to register their most vulnerable workers with a pension fund, and assist with contributions.

CIF chief executive officer Bärbel Kirchner said in a statement that the provision applies to all contractors, as per the collective agreement between CIF and the Metal and Allied Namibian Workers Union (Manwu).

“We are aware that some companies have not registered their workers as per the categories listed in the gazetted collective agreement, and are not making any contributions on their behalf.

“Some businesses clearly ignore these statutory requirements and blatantly disregard them. These, however, would be mostly those that are not members of the CIF,” said Kirchner.

As the establishment of a national pension fund in Namibia remains on the cards, the construction sector is the one industry that is taking the lead to protect its most vulnerable employees, she said.

Manwu secretary general Justina Jonas expressed concern about foreign contractors not adhering to the mandatory requirements by registering their teams with a pension fund.

“We have noted from our annual random site inspections that many projects managed by foreign contractors do not register their workers with a fund. There is no sense of caring for their workers after the end of their working lives to mitigate poverty and maintain their standard of living during retirement,” Jonas said.

CIF and MANWU collaborated in 1990 to establish an umbrella fund for the industry, the Namibia Building Workers Pension Fund (NBWPF).

NBWPF principal officer Enwich Kazondu said the commitment to help the local construction industry work towards creating decent work was jointly addressed.

“An important fact to consider is that all employers in the construction sector, irrespective of whether they are members of the CIF, are legally obliged to ensure that their workers are registered with a pension fund so that they, as well as their employees make contributions,” Kazondu said.

Despite efforts by employers to adhere to the requirements, Kirchner noted that many businesses are struggling to make pension contributions due to a lack of work.

“For that reason, we clearly want to see more majority Namibian-owned businesses get contracts both in the private and public sectors.

“It is not only important in view of job creation, maintaining, and building capacities in the industry, but also in view of effective contribution to government revenues, as well as building a future safety net at the point of retirement for those working in our sector,” she said.

Stay informed with The Namibian – your source for credible journalism. Get in-depth reporting and opinions for only N$85 a month. Invest in journalism, invest in democracy –
Subscribe Now!

Latest News