The Economic Policy Research Association (Epra) have challenged the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) to release the country’s unemployment statistics within 10 days.
They say failure to comply will result in legal action being lodged at the High Court.
“The NSA’s decision to withhold this critical data breaches these principles and undermines public confidence. The timing of this delay raises suspicions of political motives, undermining the NSA’s impartiality,” says Epra legal representative Eben de Klerk.
De Klerk says the delay suggests political interference.
In response, statistician general Alex Shimuafeni says the labour force report will be released on 29 January.
“The impartial release of statistics means the data is released at the same time to everyone – just like we’ve been doing and will continue to do.
“The NSA does not, and has never, consulted or shared data prior to its release with any stakeholder, irrespective of who it is. All releases happen at the same time to all stakeholders,” he says.
NSA received the legal notice after releasing the population census report without a section that shows unemployment levels in the country.
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