WINDHOEK: The Office of the Labour Commissioner in Namibia has expressed concerns over the limited submission of annual returns by registered trade unions and employers’ organizations. Out of 47 registered trade unions, only 12 have filed their annual returns. In comparison, merely three out of 17 employers’ organizations have met this obligation, according to a recent statement from the Labour Commissioner’s Office.

According to The Namibia Press Agency, The statement highlighted that the low rate of submissions could indicate a lack of transparency and accountability among these entities. Some may even be dormant. The Labour Commissioner’s Office is yet to analyze the submitted returns to determine their compliance status, which will inform subsequent actions. Under the Labour Act, the Labour Commissioner has the authority to issue compliance orders to non-compliant entities, with potential consequences including deregistration or intervention from the Labour Court.