WINDHOEK: The Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation inaugurated Namibia’s Annual Productivity Awareness Campaign Week this Monday, focusing on the integral role productivity plays in economic development and national prosperity.
According to a new release by Namibia Press Agency, who spoke at the event, the primary objective of the campaign is to enlighten both the workforce and the general public about the relevance and benefits of productivity. “A nation’s wealth is not solely measured by material possessions but rather by the collective efforts of its populace to innovate, create, and contribute to societal betterment,” Nujoma said.
Nujoma further elaborated that productivity is a crucial factor for economic growth and competitiveness. “A country’s ability to elevate its standard of living is almost entirely dependent on increasing its output per worker,” he stated. According to the minister, productivity encompasses various elements such as innovation, diligence, and creativity, each contributing to labor productivity which in turn is influenced by physical capital, new technology, and human capital.
He defined physical capital as the array of tools, equipment, and facilities available to workers for goods production. New technologies refer to advanced methods like assembly lines or automation that augment the production of outputs. Human capital signifies the educational and specialization levels within the workforce.
The minister noted that the Productivity Awareness Raising Week was initially instituted in October 2018, aiming to sensitize the public about the value of productivity to individuals, organizations, and the nation as a whole. This year’s campaign is hosted in the Erongo Region at the Erongo Expo in Swakopmund and carries the theme ‘A productive nation is a wealthy nation.’
Minister Nujoma also took the opportunity to invite the public to engage with the campaign’s activities on the ministry’s social media channels and encouraged visits to their exhibition stand at the Erongo Expo for additional information regarding the subject.