President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has called on Namibia’s mining industry to establish post-retirement medical schemes for former mineworkers, saying employees who develop occupational illnesses or continue to suffer injuries long after leaving the workplace should not be left without support.
Addressing the official opening of the Chamber of Mines of Namibia’s Mining Expo and Conference in Windhoek on Wednesday, the President said that occupational health and safety must remain a national priority because mining operations inherently expose workers to hazardous conditions and substances that can have long-term health consequences.
“Mining activities and operations, we know, by their nature could be dangerous and expose employees to harmful chemicals, some of which might have long health effects. In this regard, occupational health and safety should remain a priority in the mining sector,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said.
She urged government and industry to accelerate the finalisation of the Occupational Health and Safety Bill, expressing hope that Members of Parliament would give the legislation urgent attention once it reaches the National Assembly.
“Together, we must work hard to accelerate the finalisation of the Occupational Health and Safety Bill. I’m happy some of our MPs are here so that when the Bill reaches Parliament, they will treat it with urgency,” she said.
The President said the legislation should establish occupational health and safety standards that extend beyond the formal workplace to ensure broader access to information and services.
“All of us have to embrace the establishment of occupational health and safety standards across the country. This will ensure that employers, employees, even those operating in the informal sector can have access to information and to appropriate service,” she said.
In one of the strongest policy proposals of her address, Nandi-Ndaitwah appealed directly to mining companies to introduce post-retirement medical schemes for former employees whose occupational illnesses only become apparent years after leaving the industry.
“In addition, I implore stakeholders in the mining sector to put in place post-retirement medical schemes to support employees who retire with injuries and those whose illness may manifest itself long after retirement. This will ensure that workers are cared for even after their retirement,” she said.
She said the government and the private sector should also work together to establish a national health scheme capable of supporting all Namibians throughout their lives.
“We can also work together to establish the national health scheme that can take care of all of our people throughout their lives. That is possible. As we say, where there is a will, there is a way,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said.
The President concluded that protecting workers’ health requires action rather than continued discussion, urging stakeholders to focus on implementation and accountability.
“If Namibians, we all have the will to ensure the health and the safety of our people, definitely we are going to find the way. As stakeholders, we need to shift towards implementation, accountability and delivery,” she said.
The President’s remarks come as the mining industry and government are also working to modernise the country’s mine health and safety framework.
During the inaugural Chamber Health and Safety Conference held a day earlier, industry leaders said new mine health and safety regulations have already been drafted but cannot be brought into force until the proposed Minerals Bill is enacted, after which the minister will be empowered to gazette and implement the regulations.
