Namibia Mining Jobs: MPs Flag Labour Hire Abuses
A parliamentary committee has warned that jobs in Namibia's mining sector are becoming less secure, as mines replace permanent staff with subcontracted and labour-hire workers who often lack pensions, medical aid and leave. The findings by the National Assembly's standing committee on poverty eradication, labour and industrial relations were reported on Friday, 25 September 2026, by the Windhoek Observer.
Key points
The committee visited mining operations in the Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa, Erongo, //Karas and Khomas regions.
It found what it called a "dual labour market", in which permanent jobs are being replaced by outsourced work on weaker terms.
Subcontracted workers reportedly lack pensions, medical aid and leave benefits, and some face dust exposure and 12-hour shifts.
The committee recommends linking mining and exploration licences to compliance with labour protections, and updating labour and safety laws.
Navachab Gold Mine in Karibib was singled out as a positive example.
What the committee found
According to the Windhoek Observer, the National Assembly "has raised concerns over growing job insecurity in the mining sector, citing outsourcing, labour-hire practices and weak enforcement of labour and occupational safety laws".
The committee's report notes that mining revenues rose by nearly 56% to N$6.861 billion in 2023, but that this growth has not translated into secure permanent jobs. Instead, the committee described "a 'dual labour market' in which permanent employment is being replaced" by subcontracted work. It said some companies retrenched permanent staff and then brought in subcontracted workers on lower wages.
Workers employed through subcontractors reportedly do not receive the same benefits as permanent employees, such as pensions, medical aid and leave. The committee also recorded occupational safety concerns, including inadequate protective equipment, exposure to dust and 12-hour shifts.
Concerns at specific mines
The Windhoek Observer reported that the committee raised concerns about several operations:
Sino Mine (Tsumeb): unions were reportedly excluded from decisions on retrenchments and outsourcing.
Cheetah Cement (Otjiwarongo): foreign nationals were reportedly working in technical roles without Namibian apprentices being trained alongside them, and workers received second-hand protective gear.
Rössing Uranium and Husab Mine: the committee noted allegations of workplace pressure and workers' fears of retaliation.
Rosh Pinah Zinc Mine: questions were raised about the legitimacy of worker representatives.
These are findings and allegations recorded by the committee. The companies' responses were not included in the report as published by the Observer.
The committee did, however, single out Navachab Gold Mine in Karibib for praise, citing employee involvement, investment in housing, medical cover and skills transfer.
Background: a long-running concern
The issue is not new. In February 2026, The Namibian reported that the committee, chaired by Justina Jonas, had visited 11 mines in five regions. At a public dialogue on decent work in mining at the time, Jonas said: "Across all mining corporations, the committee has observed a pattern where permanent employees are retrenched and then re-hired through subcontracting under less favourable terms."
This week, Jonas also put questions in Parliament to Justice and Labour Relations Minister Fillemon Wise Immanuel about labour-hire agencies that supply workers to non-compliant employers. According to The Namibian, she asked for the number of registered private employment agencies, their inspection records over the past three years, and whether proposed amendments to employment services laws would stop agencies from supplying labour to employers that break the law.
What the committee recommends
The committee called for faster reforms, including:
Fast-tracking the Occupational Safety and Health Bill.
Updating the 1968 Mines Ordinance.
Amending the Labour Act of 2007 to deal with labour-hire arrangements after retrenchments.
Linking mining and exploration licences to compliance with labour protections, housing and local skills-transfer obligations.
The committee said outsourcing should not undermine workers' rights or host communities, the Observer reported.
What it means for workers and job seekers
Mining is one of Namibia's biggest industries and a major employer in towns such as Tsumeb, Otjiwarongo, Arandis, Karibib and Rosh Pinah. For workers, the report confirms a trend many already feel: more jobs are offered through contractors and labour-hire firms rather than directly by the mine.
For job seekers, this means it is important to check who your actual employer will be before accepting an offer. Ask whether the job is permanent or fixed-term, whether it includes pension, medical aid and paid leave, and what shift patterns apply. Under Namibian law, employers must provide safe working conditions, and workers can contact the Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations or their union if they believe their rights are being ignored.
If the recommendations become law, mining companies could be required to show they treat workers fairly before they receive or renew licences. That could improve job security and benefits across the sector, though no timeline has been announced. For more on the economy, see our report on Namibia's Q2 2026 GDP growth and our guide to Namibia's new five-year business permit.
What happens next
The report's recommendations now go before lawmakers and the government. Key things to watch are progress on the Occupational Safety and Health Bill, planned amendments to employment services and labour-hire laws, and the minister's answers to Jonas's questions in the National Assembly.
FAQ
What did the parliamentary committee say about mining jobs in Namibia?
It said permanent mining jobs are increasingly being replaced by subcontracted and labour-hire work with fewer benefits, creating a "dual labour market".
Which mines were mentioned?
The Windhoek Observer reported concerns about Sino Mine, Cheetah Cement, Rössing Uranium, Husab Mine and Rosh Pinah Zinc Mine, while Navachab Gold Mine was praised.
What changes did the committee recommend?
Fast-tracking the Occupational Safety and Health Bill, updating the 1968 Mines Ordinance, amending the Labour Act on labour hire, and linking mining licences to labour compliance.
What should mine job seekers check before accepting a job?
Who the employer is (mine or contractor), whether the contract is permanent, and whether it includes pension, medical aid, leave and safe shift hours.