zGovt warns mining companies over temporary jobs

By: Envaalde Matheus

The government has criticised mining companies for relying on temporary workers and subcontracting to cut labour costs, saying the practice undermines meaningful job creation.

Mines minister Modestus Amutse made the remarks on Thursday in Opuwo while officiating at the Kunene Mining Summit on behalf of the President, in a video provided by NBC’s Digital News.

Amutse said some companies use subcontracting to avoid employing workers directly, leaving people in temporary jobs with limited access to decent employment conditions.

He said the practice benefits companies at the expense of workers and does little to support sustainable job creation.

“The mining sector and of course other industries too are using our constitution for the purpose of freedom of association and so on to use, temporary workers as a means of cheap labour,” he said.

Amutse said some companies avoid employing workers directly and instead opt for subcontracting, leaving workers in temporary jobs.

“We are not promoting employment creation at all because the people who are involved in that exercise will continue to be temporary workers,” he said.

Amutse said subcontracting undermines the government’s job creation efforts.

Kunene governor, Vipuakuje Muharukua, said young people and local businesses must benefit from mining through skills development, decent jobs and opportunities to supply the industry.

“If a project is viable in Kunene, where will its workers be trained? Which local business can meet its procurement standards? Can its infrastructure serve a neighbouring settlement?,” he asked.

He also called for more opportunities for women and young people in mining and responsible rehabilitation of land after projects end.

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