Tourism employers to give input on minimum wage
The Federation of Namibian Tourism Associations (Fenata) said a decision on the implementation of a minimum wage for all sectors of Namibia’s economy seems imminent.
Tourism employers have therefore been urged to provide input with regards to the proposed minimum wage.
In a letter to all tourism industry employers, Fenata said the Namibia Employers' Federation (NEF) reached out to it because there may be a small opportunity for the different sectors to negotiate, considering the great diversity in the employment environment and the related salary packages.
“For us in tourism, with huge diversity in terms of employment environment and salary packages, it is vital that we make use of this last chance to try to negotiate an alternative to the proposed N$18 per hour minimum wage.”
Fenata explained that the labour ministry, the wage commission and advisors from the International Labour Organisation have submitted relevant reports.
“Now the industry has been urged to engage in final consultations.”
Only chance
The NEF stressed that the only chance the industry has to influence this process is by providing facts and data to inform arguments and requests.
“We, as organised tourism, have therefore been urged to gather relevant data from our members to motivate the need for special consideration.”
Fenata added that it has developed a basic and quick online questionnaire, which it urges all employers to complete and submit.
It said it knows from experience that the majority of the sector may be reluctant to partake in surveys of this kind, but emphasised that it is vitally important as future operational costs - in terms of employment for this human capital intensive industry - will be affected.
“This will enable Fenata to prepare an industry submission on the effects a proposed minimum wage will have on employment numbers, required cost-to-company expenses as part of salary packages and possible retrenchments that might follow an imposed minimum wage at the level proposed.”
The federation urged members to submit their responses by the beginning of November.
Tourism employers have therefore been urged to provide input with regards to the proposed minimum wage.
In a letter to all tourism industry employers, Fenata said the Namibia Employers' Federation (NEF) reached out to it because there may be a small opportunity for the different sectors to negotiate, considering the great diversity in the employment environment and the related salary packages.
“For us in tourism, with huge diversity in terms of employment environment and salary packages, it is vital that we make use of this last chance to try to negotiate an alternative to the proposed N$18 per hour minimum wage.”
Fenata explained that the labour ministry, the wage commission and advisors from the International Labour Organisation have submitted relevant reports.
“Now the industry has been urged to engage in final consultations.”
Only chance
The NEF stressed that the only chance the industry has to influence this process is by providing facts and data to inform arguments and requests.
“We, as organised tourism, have therefore been urged to gather relevant data from our members to motivate the need for special consideration.”
Fenata added that it has developed a basic and quick online questionnaire, which it urges all employers to complete and submit.
It said it knows from experience that the majority of the sector may be reluctant to partake in surveys of this kind, but emphasised that it is vitally important as future operational costs - in terms of employment for this human capital intensive industry - will be affected.
“This will enable Fenata to prepare an industry submission on the effects a proposed minimum wage will have on employment numbers, required cost-to-company expenses as part of salary packages and possible retrenchments that might follow an imposed minimum wage at the level proposed.”
The federation urged members to submit their responses by the beginning of November.
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