education must prevail in accordance with the provisions of the Namibian
Constitution. Periodic update is given on implementation and realization of the
conference resolutions. The implementation of Universal Primary Education was
one of the many resolutions taken and endorsed by the Namibian Cabinet.
xix. Take measures to curb child abuse and prostitution, hold those who
abuse farm and mine workers to account, and ensure that employers, and
especially foreign firms are accountable for non-adherence to established
labour standards;
IN RESPONSE
The Children’s Act, Act No.33 of 1960 makes provision for measures to protect
children against abuse.
Steady progress has been made in the Government’s quest to combat and eliminate
child labour as per the Action Programme which was developed during 2011. The
Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare produced a report on the Technical Cooperation Programme on elimination of child labour in the country.
The Action Plan was developed for five Government line ministries to co-operate to
eliminate child labour. These include Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare,
Ministry of Education, Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare and the
Ministry of Safety and Security.
The Directorate of Labour Inspectors in the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare
conducts periodic inspections to farms and other places of employment to identify
cases of child labour. During these sessions compliance orders are issued. Arrests
are made of those who do not adhere to compliance orders.
The Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare conducted various inspections in 20102011 where cases of forced labour of children under the age of 18 have been
reported in Namibia.
An inter-ministerial committee has been set up consisting of the Ministry of Labour
and Social Welfare, Ministry of Gender and Child Welfare and the Ministry of Safety
and Security to monitor reports on human trafficking and smuggling of migrants in
Namibia.
The Labour Act 2007, No 11 of 2007 has statutory provisions in place to regulate
child labour. Chapter Two (2) provides for Fundamental Rights and Protections.
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