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  • 8/2/2019 35 Affirmative Action Employment Act 29 of 1998[1]

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    ,' GOVERNMENT GAZETTE

    OF THEREPUBLIC OF NAMIBIA

    N$6.80 WINDHOEK - 24 September 1998 No. 1962

    CONTENTSPage

    GOVERNMENT NOT ICENo. 2 42 Prom ulgation of A ffirm ative A ction (E mp loy ment) A ct, 19 98

    (Act 29 of 1998), of the Par liament . .. . .. .. .. .. . .. .. .. .. .. . .. .. .. .. .. . .. .. .. .. .. . .. .. .. .. .. . .. .. .. .. ..

    Governmen t NoticeOFFIC E O F THE PR IME M IN ISTER

    No. 242 1998PROMULGATION O F ACT

    OF PARLIAMENT

    The follow ing A ct w hich has been passed by the Parliam ent and signed by the Presidentin te rms o f th e Nam ib ian Constitu tion is hereby pub lis hed in te rms o f A rtic le 56 o fthat Constitution.N o. 29 of 1998: A ffirm ative A ction (Em ploym ent) A ct, 1998.

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    . overnment azette eptem erAFFIRMATIVEACTION (EMPLOYMENT)ACT, 1998

    No. 19 2A ct N o. 2 9, 1 99 8

    To

    Section

    I.2.

    3.4.5.6.7.8.9.10.II .12.13.1415.16.

    ACTachieve equ al opp ortunity in em plo ym en t in acco rdance w ith A rticle10 and Article 23 of the Namibian Constitution; to provide for theestablishm ent of the Employment Equity Com mission; to redressthrough appropriate affirmative action plans the conditions ofdisadvantage in em ploym ent experienced by persons in designatedg roups a ris ing from pas t d is crim inato ry laws and p ra ctic es ; to in stitu teproced ures to contrib ute toward s the elim ination of discrim inationin em ploym ent; and to prov ide for m atters incid ental th ereto .

    (Signed by the President on 3 Se ptemb er 19 98 )

    ARRANGEM ENT OF ACT

    DefinitionsAppl icat ion of Ac t

    PART IADM IN ISTRATION OF ACTEstablis hmen t o f Employmen t Equ ity Commis sionObject s o f CommissionPowers , du ti es and functions of CommissionConst itut ion of CommissionTerms o f o ffic e o f members o f Commis sionDisqualif icationforappointmentas Commissionerorm ember of CommissionVacation o f o ffic e by members o ther th an Commiss ione rFunctions o f Commis sione r and vacation o f o ffic eDesignation and funct ions of Depu ty CommissionerMeetingsCommitteesRemuneration and expenditureAdministrative functionsReport s by Commission

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    No. 1962 Gov ernmen t G azette 2 4 S ep tem ber 1 99 8AFFIRMATIVEACTION (EMPLOYMENT)ACT, 1998

    3A ct N o. 29 , 1 99 8

    17.18.19.20.21.22.23.24.25.26.27.28.29.30.31.32.3334.35.36.37.38.39.40.41.42.43.

    '- 44.45.

    PART IIAFF IRMAT IVE ACT ION

    DefInitionof"affmnativeaction"and determinationof equitablerepresentationDesignated groupsP re fe rent ia l tr ea tment o f des igna ted groupRelevant employersEmployers t reat ed as s ingle employerVoluntary aff irmat ive actionAffi rmative action plansConsul ta tion and ass is tance of employeesAnalysis , r ev iew and s ta ti sti ca l r epor tRecordsSubmission of a ff irmative action report sConten ts o f a ff irmative action report sPub li c inspec tion of a ff irmative act ion reportsReview off icersPowers , dutie s and func tions o f review o ffic erFunctions of Commission withregard to recommendationsby review officersAmendment of a ff irmative act ion p lansA ffirmativ e a ction repo rts deemed to be app rovedRev iew panel and its func tionsP rocedu re a t hea rings and powers o f review panelsJ oinde r o f partie s a t h ea ringsHea rings to be pub licMedia tion and f in al o rders by review panelCert if ied records of proceedingsAffi rmative action compliance cert if ica teRes tric tions on certa in con tr ac ts , gua rante es , lo an s, lic ence s, p erm its ,grants , or concess ionsFur ther p rov is ions regarding app li ca tion of Ac t

    PART IIIMISCELLANEOUS

    IndemnityD ispu tes brough t to a tt en tion of Commission

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    4 Governm en t G azette 24 S ep tem ber 1 998AFFIRMATIVE ACTION (EMPLOYMENT)ACT, 1998

    N o. 1962Act No. 29, 1998

    46 .47 .48 .49 .50.

    Legal assistanceOffences and penalt iesRegulationsAmendment o f lawsShort t it le and commencementSchedule

    BE IT ENACTED by the Parliam en t o f th e R epub lic o f N am ibia as follow s:-Definitions

    1. In th is Act, unle ss th e con text o therw is e indic ate s -" affirmativ e a ction" means a ffirma tiv e a ction a s defin ed in s ec tion 17;"affirm ative action com pliance certificate" m eans an affirm ative actioncompliance cer ti ficat e refer red to in sec tion 41 ;"affirmative action measures" means the affirmative action measures contemplatedin sec tio n 17;

    "a ffirmativ e a ction p lan" means an a ffirmativ e a ction p lan re fe rred to in s ec tion23;"af fi rmative action report" means an aff irmative action report refer red to in sect ion27;"Commission" means the Employment Equity Commission est ab li shed by sec tion2 , an d in clu des, fo r th e purp ose s o f sec tio n 17(3 ), a rev iew o ffic er a nd a re viewpanel;"Commissioner " means the Commissioner appo in ted under sec tion 6(1)(a) ;"designated group" means anyone of the groups of persons referred to insectionI8(1);"emp lo yed " mean s emp lo yed as d efin ed in sec tio n 1 o f th e L abou r A ct, 1 992;

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    No. 1962 Gov ernmen t G azette 2 4 S ep tem ber 19 98AFFIRMATIVEACTION (EMPLOYMENT)ACT, 1998

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    "emp lo yee " mean s a n emplo ye e as d efin ed in se ctio n 1 o f th e L abou r A ct, 1 992;

    "emp lo yer" mean s an emp lo yer as d efin ed in sec tio n 1 o f th e L abou r A ct, 1 992;" employer s' o rgan isation" means an employer s' o rgan isation as def ined in sec tion1 o f th e Labo ur A ct, 199 2;"employment barr ier" means any rule , practice or condit ion, other than a legit imatejob requi rement, which adver se ly a ff ec ts per sons who are members of a des ignatedgroup m ore than it affects persons who are not m em bers of such designatedgroup;" emp loymen t dec is ion" include s dec is ions on ma tte rs conce rn ing employmen ta nd o ccupatio n relatin g to -(a ) access to voca tional gu idance , t ra in ing and p lacement services ;(b ) access to emp loyment and to a partic ula r occupation o r wo rk , in cluding -

    (i ) any adver ti sement relat ing there to;(ii) recruitment procedures;(iii) selec tion procedures ; and(iv) appo in tments and the appo in tment p rocess ;

    (c ) th e promo tio n, d emotio n an d tran sfer o f em plo yees;

    (d ) secur ity of tenure of employment;(e ) remune ra tion and o ther te rms and conditions o f emp loyment;(f ) d iscip line , suspens ion or t erminat ion of employment or any o ther dec is ion

    which advers ely a ff ec ts th e emp loyee conce rned ; and

    (g ) a cc es s to any o ther benef its , fa cilitie s o r s erv ic es ; and

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    N o. 1962Act No. 29, 1998

    (h ) co llec tiv e te rm in atio n a s contemp late d in se ctio n 50 o f th e L abou r Act, 1 992;

    "L abo ur A ct, 19 92," m eans the L ab our A ct, 19 92 (A ct N o.6 o f 1 992);

    "Labour Adv isory Counc il" means the Labou r Adviso ry Counc il e stablis hed bysectio n 7 of the L ab our A ct, 1992 ;"M in is te r" means the Min iste r o f L abou r;"M in is try " means the Min is try o f L abou r;"Pe rmanent Sec re ta ry" means the Permanen t Sec re ta ry : Labour ;"prescr ibe" means presc ribe by regulat ion ;" regis tered employers' organisat ion" means an employers' organisa tion regis teredas such u nder th e provision s o f Part V II of the Labo ur A ct, 1 992;" regis tered t rade union" means a t rade union regis tered as such under the provis ionsof Part V II of the Labou r A ct, 19 92;

    "r elevant employe r" means an emp loye r id en tifie d a s a re levant emp loye r undersec tion 20 ;"rev iew o ffice r" m eans th e p erso n a ppoin ted by th e Comm issio n und er sec tio n30"rev iew pan el" m eans th e re view pan el a ppoin te d und er sec tio n 35;"scale of salary" m eans a m inim um and a m axim um salary, w ith determ inedrat es o f p rogres sion in between , a ttached to a pos iti on of employment and inc ludesa salary at a fixed rate;"suitably qualified person" m eans a person who has the abilities, form alqual if icat ions or rel evan t exper ience for a posit ion of employment;" th is Ac t" inc ludes the regu la tions made the reunder ;

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    7

    "trade union" m eans a trade union as defined in section 1 of the Labour Act,1992.App licat ion o f Act

    2. This A ct sh all ap ply to e ve ry emp lo yer who h as und er sec tio n 20been iden tifie d a s a re levant employe r.

    PART IADMINISTRATION OF ACT

    Estab lishment o f th e Employment Equ ity Commis sion

    3. The re is hereby e stablis hed a body to be known as the Employmen tEquity Commiss ion.Object s of Commission

    (a )

    (b )

    (c )

    (d )

    4. T he objects o f th e C ommission are -to inquire into w hether a relevant em ployer has adopted and isimplementing an aff irmative action plan and whether any part iculara ffirm ativ e ac tio n p la n o r a ffirm ativ e ac tio n mea su re mee ts th eobjec ts o f th is A ct, a nd to tak e th e ac tio ns p re scrib ed by o r u nd erth is Act in rega rd there to ;to collect and compile information for the purposes of theadm in is tra tion o f th e p rovis ions o f th is Act;to adv is e any per son, body, in stitu tion, o rgan is ation, o r in te re stg ro up on matte rs p erta in in g to th e objec ts o f th is A ct, in clu din gw hether an existing or proposed affirm ative actio n m easu re oremp loyment p ra ctic e is con sis tent w ith th e obje cts o f th is Act;to a dv ise th e M in ister o n mak in g re gu latio ns in o rd er to a ch ie veth e obje cts o f th is A ct an d on any o th er m atte r w hich th e M in iste rmay re fe r to th e Commis sion;

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    (e )

    (f )

    Gov ernmen t G azette 2 4 S ep tem ber 1 998AFFIRMATIVEACTION (EMPLOYMENT)ACT, 1998

    N o. 1962

    to undertake o r sponsor r es ea rch and pub lic ations re la ting to theobje cts o f th is Act and the Commis sion's func tions ; andto ex ercise su ch o ther pow ers or perform such other duties an dfunctions as m ay or is req uired to be perform ed or ex ercised b yth e Comm issio n und er th is A ct.

    P ow ers, d uties a nd fu nctio ns o f C omm issio n5.(a )

    (b )

    F or th e purp ose s o f a ch iev in g its o bjec ts th e Comm issio n may -establish awards recognising achievements in furthering the objectso f th is Act;in consu lta tion with the Permanen t Sec re ta ry -(i ) obta in the services of such persons to advise i t in connect ion

    w ith th e perfo rmance o f its func tions , on such conditionsa s may be mu tually agre ed upon between the Commis sionand a ny su ch p erso n; a nd

    (ii) acquire such operat ional equipment,a s it may consider neces sa ry ;(c ) establish committees;(d ) facili tate training programmes, technical or other assistance, expert

    or specialised advice and information and guidance onimplementing a ff irmative action in the work p lace ;

    (e ) issu e guid elin es in re la tio n to th e applic atio n o f a ny p ro visio n o fth is A ct -(i ) t o ass is t r el evan t employer s in fulf ill ing the ir obl igat ions

    under th is Act; and

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    (ii) in order to effec t the proper adminis trat ion of the provis ionso f th is A ct; a nd

    (f ) p erfo rm su ch o th er fu nctio ns in fu rth era nc e o f th e obje cts o f th isA ct as the M inister m ay assig n to it.

    Constitu tion o f Commis sion6. (1) The Commission shall comprise the following members,

    appoin ted by the Min is te r w ith th e app rova l o f th e Nationa l A ss emb ly :

    (d )

    (e )

    (f )

    (g )

    (a ) T he C ommissio ner, w ho sh all be th e ch airperso n;

    (b ) fo ur p erso ns who sh all re pre se nt th e in terests o f th e S tate;(c ) tw o p erso ns se le cted by th e M in ister from perso ns nom in ated by

    registered trade unions in accordance w ith the provisions ofsubsect ion (2);

    tw o person selected by the M inister from p erso ns nominated byregistered em ployers' organisations in accordance w ith theprovi sions of subsection (2) ;tw o persons w ho, in the opinion of the M inister, represent thein te re st o f th e des igna ted g roup re fe rr ed to in s ec tion 18(1 )( a) andw ho are suitably qualified having regard to the functions o f th eCommission;tw o p erso ns, of w hom one shall b e a w om an, w ho , in th e opinionof th e M inister, represent the interest of the designated gro uprefer red to in section 18(1)(b) and who are suitably qual if ied havingreg ard to th e fu nctio ns o f th e Comm issio n; an dtw o persons w ho, in the opinion of the M inister, represent thein te re st o f th e designa ted g roup re fe rred to in s ec tion 18(1 )( c) andw ho are suitably qualified having regard to the functions o f th eCommission.

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    (2) For the purposes of the nomination of the person referred to insub se ction (1 )( c) o r (d ), th e M in is te r s ha ll in w riting reques t such -

    (a ) r eg is te red tr ade un ions ; o r(b ) registered employers' organisations,

    a s h e o r sh e may con sid er n ece ssary , to n om in ate fo r ap po in tm en t a s membe rs o fth e Comm issio n su ch number o f p erso ns a s may b e sp ec ifie d in su ch re qu est an dto subm it such nom inations to the M inister within such period as may be sospecified.

    (3 ) If no nomination for a m ember of th e C ommission referred to insub se ction (1 )( c) o r (d ) is s ubm itte d to th e Min is te r w ith in th e period specif ie d bythe re levant r eque sts made in te rms o f sub se ction (2 ), h e o r she may appoin t, w iththe approval of the N ational A ssem bly, such person as he or she m ay deem fit,an d a p erso n so a ppoin te d sh all b e d eemed to h av e b ee n a ppoin te d in term s o f th ep ro visio ns o f th e said su bse ctio n (1 )( c) o r (d ), as th e c ase may b e.

    (4) For the purposes of the appointment of persons referred to insubsect ions (1) (e ), ( f) and (g) , the Mini ste r sha ll consu lt w ith such organ isationsrepre senting the in te re sts o f th e designa ted g roup conce rned o r any o ther personas h e o r sh e may consid er n ec essa ry .

    (5 ) (a) The Minister shall with due regard to the provisons ofsubsections (2), (3) and (4) appoint for each member of theCommission , o ther than the Commissioner , an a lt erna te member,a nd may te rm in ate th e a ppoin tm en t at a ny tim e.

    (b ) Any a lte rnate member appoin ted under paragraph (a ) may -(i ) du ring the absen ce of the m ember w ith respect to w hom

    he o r sh e h as b een a ppoin ted , o r su ch member's in ab ilityto act as m ember, act as m ember of th e C ommissio n in thep lac e o f th at m ember;

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    (ii) r es ign f rom his or her o ff ice as a lte rnate member by wri tt enno ti ce to the Minis te r.

    T erm s of office of m embers of C ommission7. (1) The Commissioner shall hold office for a period of five

    years, but shall at the expiration of such period of office be eligible for re-appoin tmen t a s member o f th e Commis sion

    (2) Subject to subsection (3), a m em ber of the Commission referredto in se ctio n 6 (1 )(b ), (c ), (d ), (e), (f) a nd (g ) sh all h old o ffic e fo r a p erio d o f th re eyears, but shall at the expiration of such period of office be eligible for re-appoin tmen t a s member o f th e Commis sion.

    (3) W here the period of office of a mem ber referred to in subsection(2) expires during a period w hen the N ational A ssem bly is not in session, theM inister m ay extend the period of office of such m em ber until such tim e as amember is appoin ted fo r th at o ff ic e in te rms o f th e re levant p rovis ions o f s ec tion6, b ut in no case longer th an th e end of the next en sueing session of the N atio nalAssembly.Disqualifications for appointment as Commissioner or member ofCommission

    8. (1) No person shall be appointed as Commissioner or as amembe r o f th e Comm issio n, if th at p erso n -

    (a ) has a t any time been found gu il ty ,whe ther in Namib ia or e lsewhere,of an offence of racial discrim ination or sexual harassm ent orinvolving d ishonesty ; o r

    (b ) h as b een conv icted of an o ffence, other than a political offen cecommitted before th e date o f Nam ib ia 's Independence , fo r wh ichh e o r sh e h as b een sen ten ce d to impriso nmen t w ith ou t th e optio nof a fine, unless the p eriod o f such im priso nm ent has expired atleas t ten yea rs before the date of h is o r her appo in tment as a memberof the Commission ;

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    (c )

    (d )

    (e )

    G ov ernmen t G azette 2 4 S ep tem ber 1 99 8AFFIRMATIVEACTION (EMPLOYMENT)ACT, 1998

    N o. 1962

    is a n unr ehab ilita te d in so lven t;

    is d etain ed und er law as a men tally ill p erso n; o r

    is not a Nam ib ian c itiz en .(2) The Commissioner shall not be appointed from among persons

    r ep re senting regis te red tr ade unions ' o r regis te red emp loye rs ' o rgan is ations 'interests.V acation of office by m embers other th an C ommission er

    9. (1) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 7(2), a memberof the C ommission referred to in section 6(1 )(b), (c), (d), (e), (f), or (g) shallvacate his or her office, if he or she -

    (a )

    (b )

    (c )(d )

    h as, w ith ou t su ffic ien t rea so ns o r th e le av e o f th e Comm issio n,been absent from th re e consecu tiv e meetings o f th e Commis sion;re signs f rom offic e by w ritte n notic e to th e Min is te r;

    b ecomes sub je ct to a d is qualific ation re fe rred to in s ec tion 8 ; o ris rem oved from o ffice by the M inister, w ith the ap prov al o f theN ational A ssem bly and after having had the opportunity to behea rd , if th e M in iste r is re asonab ly s atis fie d that s uch member-(i ) is p hysically or m entally incap ab le of perform ing his or

    her duties ,(ii) h as conducted h imse lf o r hers elf d ishones tly ; o r(iii) h as n eg le cted h is o r h er d uty .

    (2) A vacancy on the Commission,arising from any circumstancere fe rred to in sub se ction (1), o r c au sed by dea th o f any member o f th e Commiss ionre fe rred to in th at s ub se ction, s ha ll b e fille d by appoin tment o f ano ther per son in

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    the sam e manner in which the person who has vacated his or her office or hasd ied was appoin ted, and such member sha ll hold o ff ic e fo r th e unexp ired portiono f th e p erio d o f o ffice o f th e member who h as v aca te d h is o r h er o ffic e o r who h asdied, as the case m ay be.Fun ction s of C ommissio ner and vacation of office

    10. (1) The Com missioner shall, in addition to such powers, dutiesan d functions as this A ct m ay confer u pon o r assign to him o r her and such oth erfunctions as the M inister m ay im pose upon him or her, be responsible for thee ff ic ient admini st ra tion of the funct ions of the Commission .

    (2 )

    (b )

    (a) The Commissioner may delegate or assign any of his orher powers, duties or functions under this Act to the DeputyCommis sione r o r any o ther member o f th e Commis sion, but s ha llnot be divested of any power so delegated and may amend orw ithdraw any decisison m ade by the D eputy Commissioner orsuch other member, as the case may be, in the exercise of anypower so delega ted.A delegation or assignm ent under paragraph (a) m ay be m adesub je ct to such conditions and re stric tions a s may be dete rm inedby th e Comm issio ner, an d a ny su ch c onditio n o r re strictio n mayb e w ithd raw n o r am en ded by him or h er.

    (3) The M inister may, with the approval of the National Assemblyand a fte r hav ing a ffo rded the Commis sione r an opportunity to be hea rd , r emoveth e Comm issio ne r from h is o r h er o ffic e b efo re th e e xp ira tio n o f h is o r h er te rmof o ffice, if the M inister is of the op inion th at there are reasonable gro unds fo rdoing so, includ ing -

    (a )

    (b )

    (c )

    cont inued i ll heal th ;misconduct;in ab ility to e ffic iently c arry out th e func tions o f th at o ffic e;

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    (d ) whe re th e Comm issio ne r b ecome s subje ct to a d isq ua lifica tio nreferred to in section 8; o r

    (e ) if such rem oval is in the public interest.

    (4) The Commissioner may resign from his or her office by writtennotic e to th e Min is te r.

    (5 ) Wher e the o ffic e o f th e Commss ione r has become vacan t in te rmsof su bsection (3) or (4), or w here the C ommissio ner has died , and th e N ation alAssembly is no t in ses sion , the Minis te r may des ignate the Deputy Commissionero r a ny o th er m ember o f th e Comm issio n to ac t as C omm issio ner u ntil su ch tim ea s a Commis sione r is appoin ted under s ec tion 6 (1 ), but in no cas e sha ll th e periodof such designation be longer than the end of the next ensuing session of theNational Assembly.D esig na tio n and fu nc tio ns o f D eputy Comm issio ne r

    11. (1) The Minister shall designate, for such period as he or shemay dete rm ine, one o f th e members o f th e Commiss ion a s Deputy Commis sione r.

    (2) The Deputy Com missioner shall not be designated from amongpersons representing registered trade unions' or registered em ployers'organisations ' interests.

    (3 )(a )

    (b )

    (c )

    The Deputy Commis sione r sha ll -generally assist the C ommissio ner in th e perfo rm ance of h is orher functions under this A ct, subject to the Commissioner'sdirec tion and control;during the abs ence o r in capacity o f th e Commis sione r exe rc is e o rper fo rm the Commis sione r's power s, dutie s and func tions ; andex erc ise su ch powers o r p erfo rm su ch duties an d fu nc tio ns o f th eCommissioner as the Commissioner may delegate or ass ign to h imo r her.

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    Meetings

    12. (1) The Commission shall meet at such times and places asthe Comm issioner m ay determ ine, but in no case less than once every threemonths.

    (2 ) The Commis sione r sha ll -(a ) o n re qu est o f th e M in iste r; o r(b ) on the w ritten requ est o f at least o ne-third of the m embers of the

    Commission,convene a specia l mee ting o f th e Commis sion.

    (3) The Com missioner shall cause reasonable prior notice of everymee tin g o f th e Comm issio n to b e g iv en to th e membe rs o f th e Comm issio n.

    (4) A majority of the m em bers of the Com mission shall constitute aq uo rum fo r a mee tin g o f th e Comm issio n.

    (5) The decision of the m ajority of the m em bers of the Com missionp rese nt a nd e ntitled to vote at a meetin g th ere of sh all c on stitu te a d ecisio n o f th eComm issio n, a nd , in th e ev en t o f an equality o f v otes re la tin g to any matter, th emember p re sid ing a t th e mee ting sha ll h ave a casting vote in add ition to h is o r herdelibera tive vote .

    (6) No decision taken by the Comm ission or an act perform ed underth e au tho rity of the C ommission shall be invalid by reaso n on ly of a vacancy o nth e C ommission , or b y reaso n only of th e fact th at a person w ho is not entitled tosit as a m ember of th e C ommission sat as a m ember of th e C ommissio n w hen thed ec isio n w as ta ke n o r th e ac t w as au th orise d, if th e d ecisio n w as tak en o r th e a ctwas authorised by the requ is it e ma jo ri ty of the members of the Commission presenta t th e tim e a nd e ntitle d to sit as m embers.

    (7) The Commission shall cause written records to be kept of theproceed ings of i ts meet ings.

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    (8) The Commission may make rules relating to the holding of, andpro cedu re at, the m eetin gs o f th e C omm issio n.

    Committees13. (1) The Commission may from time to time establish one or

    more c omm itte es to a dv ise it o n su ch matte rs as th e Comm issio n may re fer to it,o r to ass is t the Commission in the exe rc ise of such of i ts powers or the per fo rmanceo f such o f its dutie s and functions under th is Act a s th e Commis sion may delega teo r a ssig n to it, a nd th e Comm issio n may g iv e su ch d irec tiv es in c onne ctio n w ithsuch delega tion o r a ss ignment a s it may deem exped ient.

    (2) A committee referred to in subsection (1) may consist of two orm ore m embers of the C ommission o r so m any m embers of the C ommission ando th er p erso ns a s th e Comm issio n d eem s n ec essa ry , an d th e Comm issio n may a tany time d is so lve o r re cons titu te a committe e.

    (3) The Commission may appoint as a temporary member of acommittee, for su ch period as it m ay d eterm ine, any person w ho in its op inionhas exper t knowledge of any matt er for which such commi tt ee has been appointed,and an y su ch m ember shall hold office during the p eriod fo r w hich he or she hasbeen ap pointed as if he o r she w ere a m ember of the committee in qu estion , b utm ay not v ote in resp ec t o f a ny d ec isio n o f su ch comm ittee .

    (4 ) T he C ommission m ay d esignate on e o f the m embers of a comm itteea s th e cha ir pe rs on o f th at committe e.

    (5) If consensus cannot be reached on any matter by a com mittee thema tte r shall b e re fe rred to the Commis sion.

    (6) The Commissioner may attend any meeting of a committee andsh all b e e ntitled to ta ke p art in th e p ro cee din gs a nd vote o n a ny matte r.R emunera tio n a nd e xp enditu re

    14. (1) The Commissioner shall be paid such remuneration,allow ances, b en efits an d p riv ileges as th e M inister m ay determ ine, w ith theconcu rr ence o f th e Min is te r o f F inance .

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    (2) A m em ber of the Com mission referred to in section 6(1)(b), (c),(d), (e), (f) or (g), or a m em ber of a committee referred to in section 13, w ho isnot in the full-time employment of the Public Service shall be paid suchremunera tion , a llowances, benef its o r p rivi leges as the Minis te r may dete rmine,w ith th e concu rrence o f th e Min is te r o f F inance .

    (3) T he rem uneration , allowances, benefits o r privileges of m embersre fe rred to in subs ec tion (2 ) may d iffe r a ccord ing to -

    (a ) th e d iff erent o ffic es held by such members in th e Commis sion; o r(b ) th e d iffe rent func tions perfo rmed , whether in a part-time o r f ull-

    tim e c ap ac ity , b y su ch membe rs from tim e to tim e.(4) The expenditure in connection with the application and

    adm in is tra tion o f th is Act and the exe rc is e and perfo rmance o f th e powers , dutie sand function s of the C ommission sh all be paid o ut o f m oneys app ropriated byPar li ament for such purpose .

    Admin is tr at ive functions1 5. T he admin istra tiv e and c le rica l w ork in vo lv ed in th e p erfo rm an ce

    of the fun ction s of the C ommissio n shall be p erform ed by staff m embers in theMin is try , made ava ilable fo r th at purpos e by the P ermanen t S ec re ta ry .R eports b y Comm issio n

    16. (1) The Commission shall compile and submit annually notlater th an 31 March a rep ort to th e M in ister o n its a ctiv ities fo r th e p ast y ear.(2 ) T he rep ort re fe rred to in su bse ctio n (1 ) sh all c omprise -(a ) a fu ll d escrip tio n o f th e work p erfo rm ed and a ch ie vemen ts m ad e

    towa rd s fu lfilling the obje cts o f th is Act; and(b ) re commendations f or legisla tion o r o ther fo rm of action which, in

    th e v iew o f th e Comm issio n, w ill fu rth er th e objec ts o f th is A ct.

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    (3) Th e report referred to in su bsection (2 ) s hall be laid u pon the Tableo f th e N atio nal A ssembly by th e M in iste r w ith in 14d ay s afte r rec eiv in g it, if th eN atio na l A ssembly is th en in se ssio n, o r, if th e N atio nal A ssemb ly is n ot th en ins es sion, w ith in 14 days a fte r th e commencement o f its n ex t ensuing se ss ion.

    (4) The Commission may, in addition to the report referred to insub section (1), su bm it to the Sp eaker of the N atio nal A ssem bly a rep ort on anyma tte r wh ich the Commis sion is des irous to b ring to the a tte ntion o f th e Nationa lAssembly.

    (5 ) T he P erman en t S ecre ta ry may make a va ilab le fo r sale to th e pub lic ,fo r a fee d ete rm in ed by h im o r h er in consu lta tio n w ith th e Comm issio n, c op ie so f a rep ort re ferred to in su bsec tio n (1 ).

    PART IIAFF IRMAT IVE ACT ION

    Definition of "affirmative action" and determination of equitablerepresentation

    17. (1) For the purposes of this Act "affirmative action" means as et o f a ffirmativ e a ction mea su re s des igned to ensure th at pers on s in des igna tedg ro up s e njo y equal emplo ymen t o pportu nitie s at all le ve ls o f emplo ymen t a nda re equ itably repre sented in the work fo rc e o f a re levant emp loye r.

    (2 ) W ithou t lim iting the gen erality of th e definition in subsectio n (1),an a ffirm ativ e a ctio n measu re refe rre d to in th at su bsec tio n in clu de s, b ut is n otl imited to -

    (a ) id en tifica tio n a nd e lim in atio n o f emp lo ymen t b arriers a ga in stper sons in des igna ted groups ;

    (b ) making reason ab le effo rts in the w ork place to accommodate,phys ically or o therwise , per sons w ith d isab il iti es ; and

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    instituting positive measures to further the employmentopportun it ie s for per sons in des igna ted groups, which may includem easu res su ch as -(i ) ensur ing that exis ting tra in ing p rogrammes con tribute to

    fu rth ering the obje cts o f th is Act;(ii) e stabl ishing new train ing programmes a imed a t fur ther ing

    th e obje cts o f th is A ct; an d(iii) g iv ing p re fe rentia l tre atment in employmen t dec is ions to

    suitably qual if ied persons from designated groups to ensurethat such persons are equi tably represented in the workforceof a relevant employer .

    (3) T o determ ine w hether a designated group is equ itably representedin the various positions of em ploym ent offered by a relevant em ployer, theC ommission shall take into accou nt, in addition to such o ther facto rs as it m aydetermine -

    (a )

    (b )

    th e av aila bility o f su ita bly qualified p erso ns in th at d esig na te dg roup fo r such pos itions o f employmen t; andth e a va ilab ility o f p erso ns in d esig nated g ro up s who a re a ble andwil li ng , through appropria te tr aining programmes , to acqu ir e thenecessary skills and qualifications for such positions ofemployment.

    Des igna ted g roups18.

    g roups, n ame ly -(a )(b )

    (1 ) For th e purpos es o f th is Act th ere sha ll b e th re e des igna ted

    racia lly disadvantaged persons;w om en; and

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    persons wi th disabil it ies.F or th e purpos es o f sub se ction (1 ) -" ra cia lly d is advantaged person s" mean a ll p ers on s who belong toa racial or ethnic group w hich w as or is, directly or indirectly,disadvantaged in the labour field as a consequence of social,econom ic, or educational im balances arising out of raciallydiscrim inatory law s or practices before the Independence ofNamib ia ; and"disabilities," in relation to a person, includ es any p ersistentphysical or m ental lim itation w hich restricts such person'sp rep aration fo r, entry into or participatio n o r adv an cem ent in,employment or occupat ion .

    P refe re ntial tre atm en t o f d esig na te d g ro up19. (1) In filling positions of em ploym ent a relevant em ployer shall

    g ive pre fe renti al t reatment to sui tably qua li fi ed per sons of des ignated groups .(2) Where tw o o r m ore suitab ly q ualified cand idates from d esignated

    g roups qua lify fo r a pos ition o f emp loyment, th e employe r shall g iv e p rio rity -(a )

    (b )

    to a candidate w ho is a N am ibian citizen; o rif a ll su ch candidate s a re Nam ib ian c itiz en s, to th e c andidate whob elo ng s to more th an one d esig nated g ro up .

    (3 ) S ub jec t t o su bsec tio n (4 ), a re le va nt emp lo yer sh all, w ith d ue reg ardto the pu rposes of this A ct, train a N am ibian citizen as the u nder stud y o f ev erynon -N am ib ian citize n emp lo yed by h im o r h er o r it.

    (4) The M inister may, upon application in writing by a relevantemploye r re fe rred to in sub se ction (3 ), a nd a fte r con su lta tion w ith th e Min is te r o fH igher Education , Voca tional T ra in ing, Science and Technology and the Labour

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    Advisory Council , exempt such relevant employer in wri ting f rom the prov is ionso f th at su bse ctio n -

    (a )

    (b )

    upon p roof by that re levant employe r th at th e trade o r p ro fe ss iono f th e non -Nam ib ian c itiz en con templa ted in that s ub se ction is o fsu ch a sp ec ia lised n atu re th at it is n ot rea so na bly possib le fo r th ere levant emp loye r to tra in in th e workpla ce a Nam ib ian c itiz en a sth e under s tudy o f such non -Nam ib ian c itiz en ; o rwhere the M inister is for any other reason sastisfied that it isimp ra ctic al f or such re levant emp loye r to tra in in th e workpla ce aNamib ian c it izen as the under s tudy of such non-Namib ian c iti zen.

    Relevant employers20. (1) The Minister shall by notice in the Gazette iden ti fy the

    employe rs who , a s re levant emp loye rs , s ha ll c omp ly w ith th is Act.(2 ) T he M in iste r sh all in th e notice refe rre d to in su bse ctio n (1 ) i de ntify

    an employe r a s re levant emp loye r -(a )

    (b )

    by nam ing -(i) such employer e ither individual ly or by category as relevant

    employer ; o r(ii) in th e ca se o f th e P ub lic S erv ic e, an y O ffic e, M in istry , o r

    Agency a s s et out in S chedule 1 , 2 o r 3 o f th e Pub lic S erv ic eA ct, 1995 (A ct N o. 13 o f 199 5) as relev ant em ployer; o rby setting o ut in su ch no tice -(i ) t he c rit er ia ; o r(ii) the numerica l base for calcula ting the number of employees

    employed by an emp loye r,b y whic h su ch emplo ye r sh all b e so id en tifie d.

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    (2) Different criteria and numerical bases may be set out undersub se ction ( l)(b ) fo r d iff erent indu strie s o r s ec to rs o f th e e conomy.Emp loye rs tre ated as sin gle emplo ye r

    21. (1) The Commission may of its own accord or on applicationm ade to it by a relevant em ployer or a registered trade union representing thein tere st o f th e emp lo ye es o f su ch emplo yer o r an y o th er rep rese ntativ e o f su chemployees, make an order that such relevant employer and any or all of itssu bsid iarie s, b ra nc hes o r a ny o th er su bd iv isio n, as th e c ase may b e, c on stitu te as ingle re levant emp loye r f or th e purpos es o f th is Act.

    (2)(a) A relevant employer may in writing apply to theCommission, in such form as the Commission mayd eterm ine, to m ake an ord er that su ch em ployer and anyother relevantemployer named in such application consti tutea s ingle re levant employe r fo r th e purpos es o f th is Act.

    (b ) A registe red trad e unio n re pre sen tin g th e in te re st o f th eemployees of a relevant employer or any otherrepresentative of such em ployer's em ployees, m ay inwriting apply to the Commission, in such form as theC ommission m ay determ ine, to m ak e an order that su chemplo ye r a nd any o th er relev an t emp lo yer n amed in su chapplication constitute a single relevant em ployer forpurpos es o f th is Act.

    (3) The Com mission shall in writing inform the relevant em ployera nd th e reg iste re d tra de unio n o r o th er re pre sen ta tiv e, a s th e c ase may b e, o f an yo rd er m ad e und er su bse ctio n (1 ) o r (2 ).

    (4 ) A re le va nt emp lo ye r, reg istere d tra de unio n o r o th er rep rese nta tiv erefe rre d to in su bse ctio n (1 ) o r (2 ), o r a n emplo ye e who is a gg riev ed by a n o rd ero f th e Comm issio n mad e und er a ny o f th ose su bsec tio ns may , w ith in a p erio d o f30 days from th e d ate upo n w hich he o r she h as received the notice referred to insub se ction (3 ), in w riting appea l aga in st s uch o rder to th e Labou r Cou rt.

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    (5) The Labour Court may, on good cause shown, allow an appeal tobe noted in terms of subsection (3), notwithstanding the expiry of the period of30 days referred to in that subsection.

    (6) An appeal to the Labour Court in terms of this section shall besubject to the provisions of the Labour Act, 1992, and its regulations, and suchappeal shall, for the purposes of that Act, be deemed to be an appeal from adistrict labour court established by section 15(1 ) (b) of that A ct.

    (7) The Labour Court may in respect of an appeal lodged in terms ofsubsection (3) -

    (a ) co nfirm th e o rder app ealed ag ainst;

    (b ) set aside such order; or

    (c ) make such order as it deems fit.

    Volunta ry a ffirma tiv e a ction22. Any employer who is not a relevant employer may adopt and

    im plem ent an affirm ative action plan consistent w ith this A ct.

    Affirm ativ e ac tio n p lan s23. (1) Subject to section 24, every relevant em ployer shall prepare

    a nd implemen t a th ree y ea r a ffirm ativ e a ctio n p lan -(a ) specifyin g th e affirm ativ e actio n m easu res to be in stitu ted in o rder

    to -

    (i) elim inate employment barriers against persons indes igna te d g roups;

    (ii) m ake available positions of em ploym ent to such persons,provided that it is reasonably possible; and

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    (c )

    (d )

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    (iii) ensure that such persons are equitably represented in thev ario us positio ns o f emplo ymen t;

    setting out the affirm ative action objectives w hich he or she or itexpects to achieve, by setting out, w here appropriate, num ericalgoals for increasing the representation of persons in designatedgroups in each job category and grade or equivalent thereof in hiso r h er or its em plo ym en t;

    estab lishin g a tim etable for the achiev em ent o f the o bjectiv esre fe rr ed to in paragraph (b );setting out an internal procedure to m onitor and evaluate theaff irmat ive action plan,

    an d identify a sen io r em plo yee in h is or h er or its em ploy w ho w ill have overallr esponsibi li ti es for the implementa tion of such a ff irmat ive act ion p lan.

    (2) For th e pu rposes of subsectio n (1 ), the O ffice of th e Prim e M in isters ha ll, on the re commendation o f th e Pub lic S erv ic e Commis sion e stablis hed bysection 2 of the Pub lic Service C ommissio n A ct, 1990 (A ct N o.2 of 199 0), anda ft er consu lt at ion with the relevant Permanen t Sec re ta ry , p repa re an a ff irmat ivea ction p lan for eve ry O ffic e, M in istry o r Agency in the Pub lic S erv ic e id en tifie da s a re levant emp loye r.C on su ltatio n a nd a ssistan ce o f emp lo ye es

    24. (1) For the purposes of developing and implementing anaff irmative act ion p lan, a relevant employer sha ll car ry out consu lta tions w ith therepresentativ es of his or h er or its em ploy ees and, w here th ere is a trad e un io nrepresent ing the interes t of such employees ,a lso wi th such trade union, concerning -

    (a )

    (b )

    th e p rep aration , im plem en tatio n an d rev isio n of th at em plo yer'sa ff irma tive a ction p la n;

    the assistance of such representatives or trade umon In

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    communicating m atters relating to the affirm ative action plan tosuch em ployer's em ployees; and

    (c ) the participation of such representatives or trade union inmonitor ing the a ff irmative act ion p lan.

    (2) Representatives consulted in terms of subsection (1) shall reflectthe interests of em ployees from across all occupational categories and levels ofthe em ployer's w orkforce, em ployees from designated groups and em ployeesw ho are not from designated groups.

    Ana ly sis, re view and sta tistica l rep ort25. (1) For the purpose of developing and implementing an

    a ffirma tiv e a ction p lan, a r elevant emp loye r sha ll -(a )

    (b )

    (c )

    ana ly se h is o r her o r its wo rk fo rc e to dete rm ine whe ther person s indesignated groups areequitably represented therein as contemplatedin paragraph s (a ) and (b ) o f sub se ction (3 ) o f s ec tion 17;re view and ev alu ate h is o r h er o r its emp lo ymen t p rac tice s; a ndprepa re a s ta ti sti ca l r epor t, r ev ised yea rly, to cor rectly ref lect theinformation requ ir ed by subsection (2) .

    (2) The statistical report referred to in subsection (1)(c) shall set outw ith regard to a relevant em ployer's w orkforce -

    (a )

    (b )

    the job categori es and grades or equ ivalent s the reof of employmento ffe red, and the repre senta tion o f per sons in des igna ted g roups ine ach such catego ry and g rade o r equ ivalents th ereof;the number of employees h ir ed , p romoted and whose services havebeen terminated in the preceding twelve months, and therepresentation of persons in designated groups am ong thoseemployees;

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    (c )

    (d )

    Records

    26.

    (a )

    (b )

    (c )

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    the scales of salary, the num ber of persons in designated groups ineach such scale and the actual rem uneration and other benefits ofhis or her or its employees; and

    such other inform ation as m ay be required by the C ommission.

    Every relevant employer shall keep a record of -

    the affirm ative action plan prepared in term s of section 23;

    the m inutes of the consultations carried out in term s of section 24; and

    the analysis, review and statistical report prepared in terms ofse ctio n 25.

    Subm ission of affirm ative action reports

    27. (1) Every relevant employer shall submit to the Commission,in such form as the C ommissio n m ay determ in e and subject to sectio n 2 8( 1), afirst affirmativeaction report -

    (a )

    (b )

    not later than 18 m onths from the date on w hich such em ployerhas been iden tifie d a s a re levant emp loye r; o ron such other date as the M inister m ay by notice in the Gazettedeterm ine, either specifically for such relevant em ployer orgenerally for a category of relevant employer s,

    whichever date is the later date.

    (2) (a) A relevant employer shall subm it to the Commission, insu ch form as th e C omm issio n m ay determ ine and sub ject to sectio n28(2), a further affirm ative action report not later than twelvem onths from the date of the subm ission of the first affirm ativeaction report referred to in subsection (1), and thereafter once

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    every twelve months from the date of submission of theimmediate ly preceding aff irmative action report .

    (b ) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), the Commission may, onapp lic ation made to it in w riting p rio r to th e exp ira tion o f a per iodre fe rre d to in th at p arag rap h, b y notice in w ritin g to th e re le van temploye r conce rned extend such per iod fo r such fu rth er period a si t may determine.

    (3) A n affirm ative action report required in term s of this section foran O ffice, M inistry or A gency in the Public Service identified as a relevantemploye r sha ll b e p repa red and subm itte d to th e Commis sion by the O ffic e o f th ePrime Minis ter.C on te nts o f affirm ativ e ac tio n rep orts

    28. (1) Subject to subsection (3), a first affirmative action reportre ferred to in sec tio n 27 (1 ) sh all co nta in -

    (a )(b )

    (c )

    (d )

    (e )

    t he s ta tis tical r epor t r efer red to in sec tion 25(1)(c) ;th e a ffirm ativ e a ctio n p lan p re pa re d in term s o f se ctio n 23;a summary of the affirm ative action m easures, including thenum erical goals for the em ploym ent of persons in designatedgro ups in the vario us jo b categ ories an d g rades or equ ivalentsthe reof in the employment offered by such employer , and any o therobjectives, if any, which that relevant employer intends toimplement during the ensuing report ing per iod;the nam es of every non-Nam ibian citizen em ployed by suchrelevant em plo yer and N am ibian citizen trained as required b ysection 19(3) ;th e re co rd s and doc umen ts u se d in th e p re pa ratio n o f th e re po rt inques tion; and

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    o.

    such other docum ents or inform ation as the Commission m ayreqUIre.

    (2 ) Sub je ct to sub se ction (3), a f urth er a ffirma tiv e a ction repo rt re fe rr edto in sec tio n 27(2 ) sh all co nta in -

    (a )

    (b )

    (f )

    a statistica l re po rt re ferred to in su bsec tio n 25( 1 )( c), rev is ed wherenecessary;

    o ne o f th e fo llowin g:

    (i) th e a ffirmativ e a ction p lan, app roved a s con temp la ted insec tio n 32(5 ); o r

    (ii) an amended aff irmat ive action plan refer red to in paragraph(a) or (b) of sub section (1 ) of section 33; o r

    (iii) a p roposed amended a ff irma tiv e a ction p lan r efe rred to inp arag rap h (c) o f su bse ctio n (1 ) o f sec tio n 33;

    (c ) an eva luation o f th e a ffirma tiv e a ction p lan imp lemen ted duringthe immediat ely preceding repor ting per iod;

    (d ) w here necessary, a statem ent of the specific affirm ative actionm easures w hich the relevant em ployer proposes to im plem ent torem edy an y d eficien cy id entified fo r th e rep ortin g p eriod referredto in paragraph (c);

    (e ) a summary of the affirm ative action m easures, including thenum erical goals for the em ploym ent of persons in designatedg roup s in the vario us job categories and grades or eq uiv alen tsthereof in the em ployment offered by such em ploy er, and otherobjectives, if any, which that relevant employer intends toimplement during the ensuing report ing per iod;the nam es of every non-Namibian citizen em ployed by suchrelevant em ployer and N am ib ian citizen trained as required b ysection 19(3) ;

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    (3 )prescribe -

    (a )

    (b )

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    (g ) th e rec ord s a nd doc umen ts u sed in th e p rep ara tio n o f th e rep ort inques tion; and

    (h ) such other docum ents or inform ation as the C ommission m ayreqmre.T he M in ister m ay, on th e recommendation of th e C ommission,

    such fur ther requirements relat ing to aff irmat ive action reports andits su bm issio n, a s h e o r sh e may d eem nece ssary ; an dunder paragraph (a) dif ferent requirements for dif ferent categor iesof relevant employers .

    (4) W here an employer has in terms of subsection (4) of section 19been exem pted from the pro visions of sub section (3 ) of that section, a copy ofsuch exempt ion sha ll be , submit ted with an a ff irmative act ion report.

    P ub lic in sp ectio n o f a ffirm ativ e a ctio n re po rts29. A relev ant em plo yer's affirm ative actio n repo rt shall lay open fo r

    pub lic in spec tion a t th e Commis sion's h ead o ffic e.Review off icers

    30. (1) The Commission shall appoint for each affirmative actionreport subm itted to it under section 27, from am ong the staff m em bers in theM in istry mad e a va ilab le fo r su ch purp ose by th e P erman en t S ecretary , a re viewoff icer r esponsib le for r ev iew ing that r eport and making recommendations to theCommis sion in a ccordance w ith th is Act.

    (2)(a) The Commission shall issue a review officer appointed undersubsect ion (1) w ith a cer tif icat e o f appointment as rev iew off icer .

    (b ) The certificate referred to in paragraph (a) shall be in such form asth e C omm issio n m ay d eterm ine.

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    (3) The Commission shall in writing inform the relevant employer ofthe name of the review officer appointed under subsection (I) to review thatem ployer's affirm ative action report and the date on w hich such review officerhas been so ap po inted .

    Pow ers, du ties an d function s of review officer31.(a )

    (b )

    (c )

    (1 ) The fu nctio ns o f a re view o ffic er sh all b e -to review affirm ativ e actio n rep orts in ord er to d eterm ine whetherthe relevant employers concerned have adopted and areimp lemen tin g a ffirm ativ e ac tio n p lan s;

    to ascertain during the review of a particular affirm ative actionrep ort w heth er th e relev ant em plo yer co ncerned h as comp lied w ithsections 23, 24, 25, 26 and 28;

    to submit to the Commission a repor t in respect o f eve ry a ff irmat iveaction report reviewed by him or her, together with his or herrecommendation w hether the Commission should approve ordisapprove such aff irmative action report .

    (2) To determine whether a relevant employer is implementing anaffirmativeactionplan,the reviewofficerconcernedshalltake intoco nsideration-

    (a )

    (c )

    w hether the specific affirm ative action m easures set out in theaffirm ative action report in question for the ensuing reportingp erio d or, w here ap plicable, to rem edy an y d eficien cy id en tifiedfor the preceding reporting period m eet the objects of this A ct;

    (b ) th e effo rts in good fai th of the rel evant employer concerned toattain the go als and o bjectiv es of the affirm ativ e actio n p lan inque stio n a nd th e obje cts o f th is A ct; a ndthe prevailing econom ic conditions for such relevant em ployer orfor the sector of industry in w hich such em ployer conducts his orh er o r its b usin ess.

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    (3 ) The review officer shall -

    (a ) subm it to the C ommission, together w ith his or her report andrecommendat ions refer red to in subsection (1) (c ), t he a ff irmat ivea ctio n rep ort u nd er rev iew and su ch o th er d ocuments a s h e o r sh emay d eem nece ssary ; a nd

    (b ) forw ard to the relevant em ployer concerned a copy of the reportan d recommen datio ns referred to in su bsection (1 )(c).

    (4) In the execution of his or her functions under subsection (1), areview o ffic er -

    (c )

    (d )

    (e )

    (a ) may request the relevant em ployer to provide to him or her, forhis or her exam ination or for the purpose of obtaining copiesthe reof , the records refer red to in sec tion 26 or any o ther documentwhich the review off icerbel ieves , on reasonable grounds, to conta ininform ation relevant to his or her review of that em ployer'saff irmat ive action report ;

    (b ) m ay enter the business prem ises or land of the relevant em ployerat an y reaso nab le tim e;

    may re qu ire an y p erso n a pp are ntly a bove th e ag e o f 1 6y e ars a ndin cha rge or con trol o f the l and or premises refer red to in paragraph(b), to produce for his or her inspection or for the purpose ofobta in ing cop ie s th ereof, documents in such person 's pos se ss ionor und er his or h er con tro l w hich the review o fficer believ es, onreasonab le grounds, to con ta in information relevant to the rev iew ;m ay m ake inquiries about any person w hich are relevant to therevIew;sh all, o n req uest o f th e relev an t emp lo yer o r p erso n re ferred to inparag rap h (c), prod uce his or h er certificate of app ointm ent asre view o ffice r issu ed to h im o r h er u nd er se ctio n 30(2 ); an d

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    (f ) subject to subsection (5), shall not enter into a place that is beingused as a hom e w ithout the consent of the occupier.

    (5) Where entry onto business premises or land referred to insubsection (4 )(b) or into a hom e has been denied, the review officer shall apply toa magistrate for a warrant authorising such entry by the review officer or anyother officer of the C ommission nam ed in the w arrant.

    (6) The magistrate shall issue the warrant referred to in subsection(5) on evidence upon oath that there are reasonable grounds to believe that thereis in such home or in or on such business premises or land, as the case may be,in form atio n relev an t to the rev iew in q uestio n.

    (7) An warrant issued under this section shall specify the tim e duringwhich it m ay be executed and the date upon which it expires.

    (8) In so far as subsection (4) provides for a lim itation of thefundam ental rights contem plated in A rticle 13 of the N am ibian C onstitution, inth at it a uth orises in terfere nc e w ith th e p riv acy o f a p erso n's h ome, co rresp onde nc eor communications, such lim itation is enacted on authority of the said A rticle 13.

    Fun ctio ns o f C omm issio n w ith reg ard to re commenda tio ns b y re view o ffic ers32. (1) The Commission may, upon consideration of the report,

    recommendation, affirm ative action report and other docum ents subm itted to itunder subsections (1)(c) and (3)(a) of section 31, and taking into account anycircum stances contem plated in subsection (2) of that section -

    (a ) approve the affirm ative action report in question, and issue to therelevant em ployer concerned an affirm ative action com pliancec er tif ic ate ; o r

    (b ) su bje ct to su bsec tio n (5 ), d isa pp ro ve su ch affirm ativ e actio n re po rt.

    (2) The Comm ission may disapprove a first affirmative action reportreferred to in section 27(1), if it finds that -

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    (a ) the relevant employer has failed to comply with section 23, 24,25,26 or 28; or

    (b ) the affirm ative action plan in question does not com ply w ith theobjects of this A ct.

    (3) The Com mission m ay disapprove a further affirm ative action reportreferred to in section 27(2) if it finds that the relevant em ployer has -

    (a )

    (b )

    (c )

    (d )

    deviated substantial ly f rom the aff irmative action measures , goalsa nd obje ctiv es set o ut in th e immed iate ly p re ce din g a ffirm ativ ea ctio n re po rt, w ith ou t settin g out a sa tisfa cto ry explan atio n fo rsuch deviat ion in the aff irmative action report under considera tion;fa iled to implemen t an y o rd er m ad e applic ab le to su ch relev an temployer under sec tion 39(3) (b );fa iled to se t o ut in . su ch rep ort th e n ece ssary a ffirm ativ e a ctio nmea su re s which su ch re le van t emp lo ye r in ten ds to implemen t inth e ensuing repo rting per iod, in o rder to g ive e ffe ct to h is o r her o ri ts a ff irmative action p lan; o rw here an affirm ative action plan referred to in section 33(l)(b)has been submitted, failed to comply with section 23, 24, 25, 26or 28, or the affirm ative action plan in question does not com plyw ith the objects of this A ct.

    (4) Notwithstanding subsection (2) and (3), the Commission mayapprove an aff irmative action report contemplated in that subsection, i f the relevantem ploy er con cerned un dertakes in w riting to rem edy any failure or deviatio nre ferred to in th at su bsec tio n by implemen tin g sp ecific m easu res whic h, in th eopin ion o f th e Commis sion, a re adequate to remedy such fa ilu re o r dev ia tion.

    (5) The Com mission shall indicate its approval of an affirm ative actionplan or any amendment thereof under this Act by endorsing each page of suchplan or amendment of such plan or amended plan, as the case may be, to the

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    effect that such plan or amendm ent has been approved by the Comm ission, andreturn such plan to the relevant em ployer concerned.

    (6) W here the Commission disapproves an affirmative action reportunder subsection (1 )(b), it shall -

    (a ) in writing notify the relevant employer concerned of suchd isapp rova l, s etting fo rth its findings o f fa ct and r ea sons fo r s uchdisapproval ; and

    (b ) refer the m atter to a review panel to be dealt with in accordancew ith th is A ct.

    Amendment of affirm ative actio n plans33. (1) Notwithstanding the approval of an affirmative action plan

    under section 32, 34 or 39, as the case may be, such plan -

    (a )

    (b )

    (c )

    shall be am ended in accordance w ith any final order m ade in term sof section 39(3)(b )(i) in respect of such affirm ative action plans ub se qu en t to su ch a pp ro val;

    shall, subject to sections 23 and 24 and the approval of theCommission under sec tion 32 or the rev iew panel under sec tion 39 ,as the case m ay be, be revised every three years by the relevantemployer concerned to meet suchcircumstancesas may be prevailingin the emp loyment o ffe red by such r elevant emp loye r; andmay, subject to sections 23 and 24, at any tim e be amended in thed is cretio n o f th e relev an t emplo yer c on cern ed , b ut su ch ame ndmentshall have no force and effect unless the relevant em ployer -

    (i ) submits a copy of such proposed amendment to theCommis sion fo r its app rova l; and

    (ii) the Commission has in accordance with section 32(5)ind icated its ap pro val o f such am en dm en t.

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    (2) The Com mission m ay with regard to an am endm ent referred to insubsection (1)(c) cause such invest igations to be made or hear such representa tionsas it m ay d eem nece ssary .A ffirm ative action rep orts deem ed to be ap prov ed

    34. (1) A relevant employer's affirmative action report shall bed eemed to h av e b een appro ve d by th e Comm issio n und er sec tio n 32(1 )(a), if -

    (a )

    (b )

    (2)(a)

    w ithin 90 d ay s from the day on w hich th e relevant em plo yer hasunder section 27 submitted such report to the C ommissio n, theCommission has fai led to appoint under sec tion 30 a rev iew off icerto review such a ffirma tiv e a ction repo rt; o rw ith in 90 d ay s from th e d ate o n whic h th e rev iew o ffice r h as b eenappoin ted under s ec tion 30, s uch review o ffic er has fa ile d -(i ) to fo rw ard u nd er sectio n 3l(3 )(b ) to th e relev ant em plo yer

    conc ern ed a copy o f th e re po rt an d recommendatio n refe rre dto in that section: P rovided that an affirm ative action planshall not be deemed to have been approved under thjssub paragraph , up less th e relev an t em plo yer co ncerned h asnotified the Com mission, but not later than 60 days aftersuch appointm ent, that he or she has not received from suchrev iew officer th e co pies in q uestion ; o r

    (ii) su bject to su bsectio n (2 ), to submit u nder sectio n 31 (3 )(a)his or her report and recom mendation in respect of suchaffirm ativ e a ctio n p lan to th e Comm issio n.

    W here the review of a relevant em ployer's affirm ative report hasnot been finalised within the period of 90 days referred to inparagraph (b) of subsection (1), the Commission may, onreasonable grounds and by notice in writing to that relevantemployer prior to the date on which that period expires, extendfrom su ch d ate th e p eriod for th e su bm issio n o f th e rev iew o fficer'sreport and recommendation referred to in section 31(3)(a), but inno case for a period longer than 90 days.

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    (b ) Where a reVIew officer fails to submit the report andrecommen datio ns referred to in p arag rap h (a) to th e C ommissio non or before the last day of any period extended in terms of thatp arag raph, th e affirm ativ e a ctio n report in q uestio n sh all b e d eemedto have been approved by the C ommission under section 32(1)(a).

    (3) The Commission shall issue an affirmative action compliancecertificate in respect of an affirm ative action report referred to in subsection (1)o r ( 2) (b ).

    Rev iew panel and it s func tions

    35. (1) W here the Comm ission has disapproved an affirm ativeaction report u nder section 32(1 )(b), it sh all app oint a review panel to reviewsuch repor t, mediat e between the in te rests o f the par tie s hav ing an in te rest therein ,an d mak e a fin al o rd er in resp ect th ereo f.

    (2) A review panel shall comprise three persons, appointed by theCommission from am ong its m em bers and such other persons as it m ay determ ine.

    (3) The Commission shall designate one ofthe members ofthe reviewpanel as chairperson of that panel.

    (4) The review panel shall conduct a hearing in order to review andm ake a final order in respect ofthe affirm ative action report for w hich it has beenappointed.

    (5) The Commission shall subm it to the review panel the affirm ativeact ion report for which i t has been appo in ted, i ts r easons in wri ting for d isapprovalo f th at re po rt, a nd su ch o th er d oc umen ts a s it m ay d eem nec essa ry .Pro cedur e a t h ea rin gs and p owers o f r ev iew pan els

    36. (1) A review panel shall hold its hearing on such date and atsuch tim es and places as the chairperson m ay determ ine.

    (2 ) The review panel shall give at least fourteen days' w ritten notice

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    of its hearing to the relevant em ployer w hose affirm ative action report that panelis to review and the review officer who reviewed such report, and summon thatem ployer and officer to appear before the review panel on the date and at the tim eand place set out in the notice to be exam ined.

    (3) The review panel m ay in writing sum mon any person who, in theopin ion o f th e review panel, is able to fu rn is h in fo rmation mate ria l to th e hea ringrefe rre d to in su bsec tio n (1 ), o r who th at p an el h as rea so n to b eliev e h as in h is o rher possession or custody or under his or her control any book, docum ent, orrecord relating to the subject of such hearing, to appear at a tim e and placesp ec ified in th e summon s to b e e xam in ed o r to p ro du ce su ch book, d ocument, o rr ecord, and may retain for examination any book , document, o r r ecord so produced .

    (b )

    (c )

    (4 ) A summons referred to in subsection (3) shall-

    (a ) b e issu ed und er th e h and o f th e Comm issio ne r;state the nam e of the person required to appear before the reviewpanel, the tim e and place at w hich he or she is required to so appear,and the description of the book, docum ent, or record, if any, w hichsuch person is required to produce at such tim e and place; and

    shall be served on the person referred to in paragraph (b) by aperson authorised by the Commission, by delivering a copy ofsuch summons -(i ) to him or her in person; or

    (ii) a t h is o r her u sual o r la st known p la ce o f re sid ence o r p la ceo f emp loymen t o r bus in es s to a person appar en tly ove r th eage o f 16yea rs and apparently re sid ing o r emp loyed there .

    (5) A return by the person who served the summons that service thereofhas been effected in term s of paragraph (c) of subsection (4) shall be p rima fa ciep roo f o f such serv ice.

    (6 ) The rev iew panel may, through the cha irpe rson , admin is te r an oath

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    to, or accept an solem n affirm ation from , any person present at the hearing, andexamine him or her, or instruct him or her to produce any book, document, orrecord in his or her possession or custody or under his or her control.

    (7 )(a )

    (b )

    In c ondu ctin g a h earin g, a rev iew pan el -sh all no t be boun d b y th e strict rules o f the law o f evid en ce and itm ay ascertain, subject to the principles of natural justice andfa irn ess, an y re le van t fac t in su ch manne r a s it m ay d eem fit; an dmay admit in ev id en ce an y m atter w hich is reaso nab ly o f p ro ba tiv e v alu e.

    (8) Evidence to prove or disprove any fact in issue may be submittedto the review panel in w riting or orally.

    (9) A relevant employer summoned under subsection (2) shall inperson or through his or her legal or other representative be entitled -

    (a )

    (b )

    (9 )

    before the hearing, to exam in e an d m ak e copies of any relev antdocument, in cluding the repo rt and re commendations made to theCommiss ion by the review off icer and the other documents refer redto in s ec tion 31(3 )(a ); andat the h earin g -(i ) to be heard;

    (ii) t o cal l wi tnes se s;

    (iii) to introd uce do cumen ts and o th er ev id en ce;

    (iv) to c ro ss-e xamin e a ny p erso n ca lled as a w itn ess; an d(v ) to e xam in e an y b oo k, d oc um en t, o r rec ord p ro du ced in ev id en ce.

    A person w ho, having been sum moned under subsection (2) or (3)

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    to appear before the review panel at a hearing and to testify or to produce a book,docum ent, record or other evidence relevant to the hearing, w ithout reasonablecause -

    (a ) fails or refuses to appear before such p anel at the specified tim eand p lace ;

    (b ) hav ing appea red befo re such panel, re fu se s o r fa ils to answe r anyquestion put to him or her truthfully and to the best of his or herknowledge;

    (c ) k now in gly m ak es a false statem en t or rep resentatio n to su ch p an el;or

    (d ) refuses or fails to p rodu ce or su rren der to su ch pan el any book ,document, re co rd , o r o ther evidence in h is o r her pos se ss ion,

    sh all b e guilty o f a n o ffen ce , an d on c onvic tio n b e lia ble to a fin e not ex cee din gN$8 000 o r to impriso nmen t fo r a p erio d not e xc ee din g two y ea rs, o r to b oth su chf ine and such imprisonment.

    (10 ) Th e failure of a relevant em ployer referred to in su bsection (2) toa tt end a hea ring refer red to in tha t subsection sha ll not inval idate the proceed ingso f such hea ring.

    (11) The review panel shall keep a written record or cause a writtenre co rd to b e k ep t o f th e p ro cee din gs at su ch h ea rin g and o f all th e e vid en ce g iv en .Joinder o f parties at hearin gs

    37. The review panel m ay, in its discretion, allow any person, groupso f person s o r o rgan isa tions hav ing a d ire ct and subs tantia l in te re st in th e sub je ctma tte r o f th e hea ring to jo in , fo r s uch purpos es a s th e review panel may dete rm ine,as a party to su ch hearing .

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    Hearings to be public

    38. (1) Subject to subsection (2), the hearing of a review panelsh all b e ope n to th e pub lic.

    (2 ) T he rev iew pan el m ay in a ny c ase , in th e in te re st o f n a tio na l se cu rityo r to p re ven t th e pub lic d isc lo su re o f in fo rm atio n th at w ou ld ca use su bstan tia ld amag e to a ny re le va nt emp lo ye r o r p erso n, d ire ct th at th e h earin g sh all b e h eldw ith c lo sed doo rs o r th at th e pub lic genera lly sha ll not be perm itte d to be p re sentthereat.M ediation and final orders by review panel

    39. (1) Subject to subsection (2) and (3), a review panel shall atth e c on clu sio n o f its h ea rin g und er sec tio n 35(4 ) m ak e a fin al o rd er -

    (a ) approving the affirm ative action report under its review ; or

    (b ) disapproving such aff irmative action report .(2) W here the review panel finds any deficiencies in the affirm ative

    action report under i ts review with regard to the information, the aff irmat ive actionp lan , o r affirm ativ e a ctio n mea su re s se t o ut th erein , it sh all, b efo re issu in g itsfin al ord er, thro ugh m ed iation endeavo ur to persu ad e the relev an t em ployerconce rned to undertake to cor rect such def ic ienc ie s.

    (3 ) W here the m ediation referred to in subsection (2) -

    (a ) succeeds, the review panel shall issue a final order approvingthe affirmative action report and set out in such order theundertaking made by the relevant employer in terms of thatsu bs ectio n; o r

    (b ) fails, the review panel shall issue a final order disapproving suchaffirm ative action report and set out in such order -

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    (i ) the amendments to be made by the relevant employer toh is o r h er o r its a ffirm ativ e a ctio n p lan o r a ffirm ativ e actio nreport, as the case may be;

    (ii) th e sp ec ific a ffirm ativ e actio n mea su res whic h th e relev an tem plo yer sh all im plem en t an d th e tim e fram e w ithin w hichsu ch m easu res sh all b e so im plem en ted.

    (4) A final order of a review panel shall be in writing and set out itsfin din gs, d ecision an d th e reason s fo r su ch d ecisio n.

    (5 ) N o ap peal sh all lie ag ain st a fin al ord er referred to in sub sectio n (4 ).

    (6) The C ommission shall by hand, registered post, telex or fax sendc op ies o f th e fin al o rd er re ferred to in su bse ctio n (4 ) to -

    (a ) t he relevant employer conce rned ;(b ) all parties to the hearing; and

    (c ) all persons having a direct and substantial interest in the m atter.

    (7) The Commission shall issue an affirmative action compliancecertificate in respect of a final order m ade in term s of subsection (l)(a) or (3)(a).

    (8) The Commission may, with the concurrence of the M inister, lay afinal order of the review panel open for public inspection at its head office.

    Certifie d r ecord s o f p roceed ings40. The chairperson of a review panel shall, Jor the purposes of any

    proceedings in term s of this A ct or any other law , or the enforcem ent of suchp anel's final ord er, certify the record s referred to in section 3 6(11 ) to be a trueand cor rect r ef lect ion of that panel's p roceed ings.

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    Affirmativ e a ction comp liance certific ate41.

    (a )

    (b )

    An aff irmat ive act ion compliance cer tif icate sha ll -

    be in such form as the Commission may from time to timedetermine; andbe valid from th e date o f issue u ntil the date -(i )

    (ii)

    (iii)

    sub je ct to subpa ragraph (iii), th at th e Commis sion unders ec tion 32(1 )( a), 34(3 ) o r 39(7 ), a s th e c as e may be, is suesto th e re levant emp loye r conce rned an a ffirmativ e a ctioncompliance cer tif icat e for the very nex t a ff irmat ive actionreport follow ing on the a ff irmat ive action repor t for whichsuch compli ance cer ti fi ca te had been i ssued;s ub je ct to subpa ragraph (iii), th at th e review panel makesunder sections 39(1)(b) or (3)(b) a f inal order disapprovingthe v ery nex t affirm ative action rep ort follow ing on theaffirm ative action report for w hich such com pliancecer tific ate had been is sued ; o rthat the relevant em ployer concerned fails to subm it afu rth er a ffirm ativ e ac tio n re po rt u nd er th e p ro visio ns o fsect ion 27(2).

    R es tric tions on certa in con tra cts , gua rante es, lo an s, lic ence s, p erm its , g rants ,or concess ions

    42.(a )

    (b )

    (1 ) No-contra ct sh all b e e nte re d in to by o r o n b eh alf o f th e S ta te a nd a nyrel evan t employer ; o rg uarantee, lo an , licence, perm it, g ran t, or co ncession , in clud ingthe right to the reconnaissance or prospecting for, or to m ine, any

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    43

    minera l, s ha ll b e g iven , made , is sued , g ranted o r awa rded to anyre lev an t emplo ye r b y o r o n b eh alf o f th e S tate ,

    u nle ss th e re lev an t emplo ye r c on cern ed is in p osse ssio n o f a v alid a ffirm ativ eaction compliance cert if ica te .

    (2)(a)

    (b )

    Where a rel evan t employer does not ho ld a val id a ff irmat ive act ioncompliance cer ti ficat e as requ ir ed by subsect ion (1) , such relevantem ployer m ay in w riting apply to the M inister to be exem ptedfrom th e re qu irement to h old su ch c ertifica te fo r th e purp ose s o fthat subsection.The M inister m ay, upon proof by a relevant em ployer referred toin paragraph (a) and upon being satisfied that the failure to holdth e n ece ssary v alid a ffirm ativ e ac tio n comp lia nc e c ertific ate is n otdue to such relevant em ployer's fault, exem pt, for the purposes ofsubsection (1), that relevant employer from the requirement toh old a v alid affirm ative actio n complian ce certificate.

    (3) N otw ithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any contractentered into by or on behalf of the State and any relevant em ployer, it shall be anim plied condition of every such contract that it m ay, after reasonable notice inw riting, be cancelled by the State w here, during the continuance of that contract -

    (a )

    (b )

    a re view pan el h as mad e a fin al o rd er u nd er th e p ro visio ns o f th isA ct d isappro vin g an affirm ative action report of that relevan temployer ; o ran affirm ativ e a ctio n comp lia nc e c ertific ate is n o lo ng er v alid u nd erth e p ro visio ns o f s ectio n 41(b )(iii).

    (4) For the purposes of this section "State" means the State as definedin section 1 of the Labour A ct, 1992, w hether or not any relevant M inistry, O fficeor Agency as set out in Schedule 1,2 or 3 to in the Public Service Act, 1995 (ActNo. 13 of 1995) or body contemplated in that definition, or regional council,itself h as b een id en tified as a relev an t em plo yer.

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    Fu rth er pro visions reg ard in g app lication of A ct43. (1) W ithout derogating from the provisions of sections 39 and

    sub je ct to s ec tion 19(3 ), noth ing in th is Act s ha ll requ ire a re levant emp loye r to -(a ) create new emplo ym en t po sitio ns in th e w ork place;

    (b ) hire or promote an arbitrary or fixed number of persons during ag iven per iod;

    (c ) h ire o r p romo te p erso ns who a re not su ita bly qualified ; an d(d ) take em ployment decisions that act as an absolute bar on the

    recruitm ent or prom otion prospects of a person who does notbelong to a des igna ted g roup .

    (2 ) In so far as th e p ro visio ns o fth isA ct p ro vid e fo rth e implemen tatio nof a policy or practice w hich m ay dim inish or derogate from the fu ndam entalhum an rights con tem plated in A rticle 1 0 of the N am ibian C onstitu tion of anyre levant emp loye r o r employee, s uch p rovisions a re enacted upon the authorityo f A rtic le 23 o f th e Nam ib ian Constitu tion.

    PART II IMISCELLANEOUS

    Indemnity44. The M inister, Perm anent Secretary, Commissioner, a m em ber of

    th e Comm issio n, a re view o ffic er, o r a p erso n refe rre d to in se ctio n 13 sh all n otpers onally be lia ble in re spec t o f any th ing done bona fide under th is Act.D ispu tes brough t to attention of th e C ommission

    45. (1) Any employee may bring to theComm isssio n a ny d isp ute b etw ee n su ch emplo yee , o r h is o rand a r elevant emp loye r.

    attention of theher representat ive,

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    (2) The Commission may, if it deems it necessary, refer a complaintreferred to in subsection (1) to the Labour C ommissioner referred to in section 3 ofthe Labour Act, 1992, to act in respect thereof as contemplated in Part IX of that Act.

    Legal assistance46. The C ommission m ay, w ith the approval of the M inister, provide

    legal assistance to a perso n w ho , in the view of tthe C ommisssion , is unable forfin ancia l re ason s to b ring an action befo re th e Labou r Cou rt.O ffences and penaltie s

    47. (1 ) Any p erso n who -(a ) d isc rim in ates in a ny manne r a ga in st a p erso n who h as te stified ,

    a ssisted , o r p articip ate d in a ny manner in any p ro ce ed in g und erthis Act;

    (b ) obstru cts o r p re ve nts a -(i ) m ember o f th e C omm issio n,

    (ii) a review o ffic er; o r(iii) o ther r epresenta tive of the Commission ,from complying w ith the p rovisio ns of or an ord er issued un derthis Act;

    (c ) fails to c omply w ith sec tio n 26; o r(c ) wilf ully makes a fa lse s ta temen t in any a ffirmativ e a ction repo rt

    re fe rr ed to in s ec tion 27,shall be guilty of an offence and on conviction be liable to a fine not exceedingN$16 000 or to im prisonm ent for a period not exceeding 4 years, or to both suchfin e a nd su ch impris onme nt.

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    AFFIRMATIV E ACT ION (EMPLOYMENT ) ACT , 1 998

    (2) Any relevant employer who contravenes or fails to comply withsection 23, 24, 25, 27, 28, or 39(2)(b) shall be guilty of an offence, and onconviction be liable -

    (a )

    (b )

    Regulations

    48.

    for a first offence, to a fine not exceeding N$4 000 or toim prisonm ent for a period not exceeding 12 m onths, or to bothsuch fin e and impris onmen t; andfo r a s econd o r subs equent o ffence, to a fin e not exceeding N$1 000 00 or to im prisonm ent fo r a period not exceeding 5 y ears, or toboth such fin e and impris onmen t.

    The Min is te r may make regu la tions -(a ) presc ribing the requi rements app licab le to any par ticula r industry

    or sector of the eco nomy in th e ap plication of Part II; an d(b) relating to any m atter required or permitted to be prescribed under

    th is Ac t,

    and gener ally on any matte r wh ich the Min is te r con siders neces sa ry o r exped ientto p resc rib e in o rd er to ac hiev e th e purp oses o f th is A ct.

    (2) A regulation m ade under subsection (1) m ay prescribe a penalty,n ot ex cee din g N$8 000 o r impriso nmen t fo r a p erio d o f tw o y ears, o r to b oth su chfine an d im prisonm ent, for any co ntravention of or failure to comply w ith anyprovis ion thereofAmendm ent of law s

    49. The laws specified in the Schedule are hereby amended to theextent indic ated in the th ird column o f th at S chedule .

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    No. and year of Sho rt title E xten t o f amendmen tLawAct No.6 of 1992 L abou r A ct, 1 992 The amendmen t o f s ec tion 106bythe substi tu tion for subsection (1)

    o f the fol low ing:"(1) N othing contained in thisPart or in any other prov ision ofth is Ac t sha ll be const rued as pro-h ib itin g any emp lo yer o r p erso nfrom imp lementing any emp loy-ment pol ic ie s and pract ices -(a) aim ed at the advancem en t of

    persons w ho have been dis-advantaged in the labour f ie ldby discrim inatory laws orpractices w hich have beenenacted or practised before theindependence of Namib ia ; o r

    (b) in term s of the A ffirm ativeA ction (Emplo ym en t) A ct,1998.".

    N o. 1 962 Governm en t G azette 2 4 S ep tem ber 1 99 8AmRMAT IVE ACT ION (EMPLOYMENT)ACT, 1998

    47A ct N o. 2 9, 1 998

    Sho rt title a nd c ommencemen t

    50. (1) This Act shall be called the Affirmative Action(Employment) Ac t, 1998 ,and sha ll come in to operation on a date to be determinedby the M inister b y notice in the Gazette.

    (2) D ifferen t dates m ay be d eterm ined u nder su bsection (1) in respecto f th e d iffe rent p rovis ions o f th is Act.

    SCHEDULELaws amended

    (Section 49)

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    No. and year of Sho rt title E xten t o f amendmen tLawAct No.6 of 1996 Tender Board of Namibia The amendment of section 15 byAct, 1 996 the subst it ut ion in subsect ion (3)

    for the words preceding paragraph(a ) o f th e fo llow ing words :"The Board shall, subject tosection 42 of the A ffirm ativeAc tion (Employment ) Ac t, 1998 ,and with regard to subsection (2) ,no t accept a tender if -".

    Act No. 26 of 1991 R ac ia l D iscrim in atio n P ro - T he amendmen t of se ctio n 7 by th eh ib iti on Act, 1991 additionofthefollowingsubsection:

    " (3) The provis ions of subsection(1) does not prohibit employmentpol ic ie s and pract ices consis tentw ith the prov is ions of the Af firm-a tiv eAction (Employmen t) Act,1998.".

    48A ct N o. 2 9, 1 998

    Gov ernmen t G azette 2 4 S eptem ber 19 98AFFIRMATIVE ACTION (EMPLOYMENT)ACT, 1998

    No. 1962