Auleria Wakudumo
Overtime rates for domestic, agricultural and security workers are scheduled to increase to N$27 an hour by 2027, while Sunday and public holidays work will attract a rate of N$36 an hour under Namibia’s phased national minimum wage adjustments.
This means that from 2027, domestic, agricultural and security workers will receive the same overtime, Sunday and public holiday rates as other workers in Namibia.
The National Minimum Wage brochure issued by the Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations prescribed overtime and Sunday/public holiday rates differ by sector with increases scheduled over three years from 2025 to next year.
For workers outside the domestic, agricultural and security sectors, overtime remains the same as 2025 and 2026 at N$27 an hour, while Sunday and public holiday work also remain the same at N$36 an hour.
Domestic workers’ overtime rate increased from N$18 an hour in 2025 to N$22.50 in 2026. Their Sunday and public holiday rate rose from N$24 to N$30 an hour. Both rates are scheduled to reach N$27 and N$36 respectively in 2027.
Agricultural workers’ overtime rate increased from N$15 an hour in 2025 to N$21 in 2026, while their Sunday and public holiday rate rose from N$20 to N$28 an hour.
The respective rates are also scheduled to reach N$27 and N$36 in 2027.
Meanwhile, security workers’ overtime rate increased from N$20.25 an hour in 2025 to N$24 in 2026. Their Sunday and public holiday rate rose from N$27 to N$32 an hour. Both rates are scheduled to reach N$27 and N$36 respectively next year.
Sunday and public holiday rates
The ministry’s brochure sets out the rates applicable in each year, distinguishing overtime payments from remuneration for work performed on Sundays and public holidays.
The rates for 2027 will bring the three specified sectors into line with the rates listed for other workers, with overtime at N$27 an hour and Sunday and public holiday work at N$36 an hour.
The brochure also clarifies that overtime, Sunday and public holiday payments are excluded when calculating the national minimum wage, which covers money payable for ordinary hours of work.
Allowances, the value of food or accommodation and other benefits are also excluded from the minimum wage calculation.
Minimum wage
Labour relations ministry stated that Namibia’s national minimum wage was set at N$18 an hour with effect from 1 January 2025. Domestic, agricultural and security workers are being brought into line with this benchmark through phased annual increases ending in 2027.
Domestic workers’ minimum wage increased from N$12 an hour in 2025 to N$15 in 2026 with a further N$3 increase scheduled for January 2027.
Agricultural workers’ rate rose from N$10 an hour in 2025 to N$14 in 2026 with another N$4 increase scheduled for 2027.
Security workers’ minimum wage increased from N$13.50 an hour in 2025 to N$16 in 2026 with a further N$2 increase scheduled for January 2027.
The brochure explained that the National Minimum Wage is the lowest hourly rate an employer can legally pay an employee.
It is established under Section 13 of the Labour Act, 2007 through the Wage Order for Setting the National Minimum Wage for Employees.
The minimum wage applies to full-time, part-time and temporary employees in Namibia but excludes members of the Namibian Defence Force, police force, prison services and Namibian Central Intelligence Service.
N$10 000 fine, two years in jail or both
The ministry warned that failure to comply with the minimum wage order constitutes an offence punishable by a fine not exceeding N$10 000, imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years or both.
Employers are required to adjust pay rates according to the prescribed hourly wages and effective dates, maintain accurate wage and attendance records and comply with the Labour Act.
They must also allow labour inspectors access to verify compliance during inspections.
Labour relations ministry advised workers to familiarise themselves with the minimum wage and sectoral rates, keep records of hours worked and payments received and report underpayment or unfair treatment.
The ministry encouraged workers to report possible underpayment.
The scheduled 2027 adjustments will bring domestic, agricultural and security workers to the N$18 hourly minimum wage benchmark with overtime and Sunday and public holiday rates reaching N$27 and N$36 an hour respectively like any other workers.
-awakudumo@nepc.com.na
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