As of March 2024, the estimated population of Namibia is 2,604,172.
The currency in Namibia is the Namibian Dollar (NAD). The currency symbol is $.
Namibia's Labour Act does not specifically define permanent employment or differentiate it from other kinds of employment. An employee is presumed to be employed indefinitely, unless the employer can establish a justification for employment on a fixed term.
The Labour Act of Namibia does not specifically require the provision of a written employment contract to employees. However, upon the termination of employment, an employer must give an employee a certificate of service stating the following: The employee’s full name The name and address of the employer A description of the industry in which the employer is engaged The date of commencement and date of termination of employment The employee’s job description The remuneration at the date of termination, and If the employee requests it, the reason for termination of employment.
Namibia's labor law does not contain specific provisions addressing temporary employees. The law does recognize independent contractors as self-employed individuals who work for a company or a customer as part of that individual's business, undertaking, or professional practice.
Namibia's Labour Act does not contain provisions addressing the use of probationary periods. The International Labour Organization has identified it as a country in which no limits are placed on the duration of probationary periods.
Namibia's Labour Act stipulates that an employer must not require or permit an employee to work more than 45 hours per week, 9 hours per day (for those who work 5 days a week), or 8 hours per day (for those who work for more than 5 days a week). The maximum number of hours a child above 10 can work is 4 hours a day. The ordinary working hours of an employee whose duties include serving members of the public may be extended up to 15 minutes a day, but not more than a total of 60 minutes in a week. In the case of employees working in emergency healthcare services and security officers, however, the workweek cannot exceed 60 hours, 12 hours per day (for employees working for 5 days a week), or 10 hours per day (for employees working for more than 5 days a week).
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Every employee is entitled to an annual leave depending on the number of days they work in an ordinary workweek. Employees with a 5-day workweek are entitled to 20 working days of annual leave per year. If an employee does not typically work a fixed number of days per week, they are entitled to annual leave calculated based on the average number of days worked per week over the last 12 months multiplied by 4. The employer may determine when the annual leave is to be taken, provided that it is taken no later than 4 months after the end of the year in which it was accumulated. If the employee agrees in writing to an extension before the end of the 4-month period, the leave can be taken 6 months after the end of the annual leave cycle. Employees are entitled to their regular compensation while on annual leave. The law also provides employees with an additional paid leave day if a public holiday occurs during their annual leave. Employers are prohibited from providing monetary compensation in lieu of the annual leave, except in case of termination of employment.
Per Namibia's labor law, employees are entitled to sick leave depending on the number of days they work in a week, as follows: Not less than 30 working days of sick leave for employees who work 5 days per week Not less than 36 working days of sick leave for employees working 6 days per week Not less than the number of working days calculated on a pro-rata basis for employees who work fewer than 5 days during a week. The sick leave periods listed above are applicable for a sick leave cycle of 36 months and not on a 12-month basis. The employer must pay the employee their normal wages when sick leave is taken within the statutory entitlement. Any additional sick leave the employee takes will be paid by social insurance up to NAD 11,250.00 per month for the first 12 months and NAD 9,750.00 per month afterwards. An employee is entitled to 1 day's sick leave for every 26 days worked during the employee's first year of employment. The labor law provides that the employer is not entitled to pay for sick leave if the employee has been absent from work for more than 2 consecutive days and fails to present a certificate issued by a medical practitioner. The employer also does not have to pay for sick leave if the employee is entitled to payment for sick leave from a social insurance fund or organization.
In Namibia, the law provides a maternity leave of at least 12 weeks to female employees who have 6 months of continuous service with an employer. The mother is entitled to commence maternity leave 4 weeks before delivery and is entitled to 8 weeks of maternity leave after confinement. If an employee's date of confinement occurred less than 4 weeks after the start of her maternity leave, the amount of additional time required to bring her total maternity leave to 12 weeks is added to her leave after confinement. The law also provides a maternity leave extension if a medical practitioner certifies any complications during birth. This extension is granted for a maximum of 1 month or the duration of sick leave that the employee has accrued by that time. During any maternity leave period, the employment contract provisions remain in force. As a result, the employer must pay the employee the remuneration payable during the maternity leave period, except for the basic wage benefit, which is provided by the Social Security Commission. The Social Security Commission pays 100% of an employee's basic wage up to a maximum amount of NAD 15,000.00 per month, payable for a maximum of 12 weeks.
Namibian labor law does not provide a statutory paternity leave entitlement to employees.
Per Namibian labor law, if a contract of employment is terminated with notice, the period of notice must not be less than: 1 day, if employed for 4 weeks or less 1 week, if employed for more than 4 weeks but less than 1 year 1 month, if employed for more than 1 year Notice of termination must be given in writing, stating the reasons for termination, whether the termination is by the employer, and the date on which the notice is given.
Namibia's Labour Act provides severance benefits to employees who have completed 12 months of continuous service, and: Are dismissed by their employer, or Die while employed, or Resign or retire upon reaching the age of 65 years. The employee is not eligible for a severance package if they are dismissed fairly on the grounds of misconduct or poor work performance. The severance pay must be equal to at least 1 week's pay for each year of continuous service with the same employer.
Namibia has a universal pension scheme that provides a basic social grant of NAD 1,700 (Namibian dollars) per month to citizens who have reached the age of 60 under the National Pension Act. A lump-sum benefit of NAD 12,000 is available upon death, permanent disability, or retirement of a fully paid-up member from the Social Security Commission's Maternity, Sick, and Death Fund. The member must have paid at least 6 months' contributions. As of April 2026, the National Pension Fund has not been established in the country and is not functional. Employers and employees pay 0.9% of gross monthly payroll and earnings to finance the pension scheme.
Namibia's law requires employees to be members of the Social Security Commission's Maternity Leave, Sick Leave, and Death Benefit Fund. This fund is responsible for maternity leave benefits to female employees, sick leave benefits to every employee, and death benefits for the survivors of deceased insured persons. Children under 18 are eligible for a maintenance grant of NAD 350 per month if both parents are deceased, or if they have one parent whose gross income does not exceed the Old Age Grant amount. The death benefits are paid to the dependents of the deceased employee. If the dependent is a minor, then the benefits are paid to the minor's guardian. A payment of NAD 12,000 (Namibian dollars) will be made upon the death of a fully paid-up member upon retirement or permanent disability if they have paid at least 6 months of contributions. Employers contribute 0.9% of gross monthly payroll to the fund, and employees contribute 0.9% of gross monthly earnings to the fund. In case of death due to work accident or disease, survivors are paid benefits as follows: Surviving spouse with no children - a lump sum not exceeding twice the employee's monthly earnings and a monthly pension of 40% of the pension to which the deceased employee was entitled Surviving spouse with 1 or more children - 20% additional pension is paid for each child, provided the total does not exceed 100% of the pension to which the deceased was entitled.
Namibia has a universal pension scheme under the National Pension Act, which provides a basic social grant of NAD 1,700 (Namibian dollars) per month to citizens aged 16 to 59 years declared permanently disabled by a state medical officer. In addition, a lump-sum benefit of NAD 12,000 may be paid to the insured upon either death, permanent disability, or retirement of a fully paid-up member from the Social Security Commission's Maternity, Sick, and Death Fund if the member had paid 6 months' contributions. Employers must contribute 0.9% of gross monthly payroll, and employees must contribute 0.9% of gross monthly earnings to the fund. Under the Employee's Compensation Act, the minimum amount payable for permanent disablement is a monthly pension of NAD 500. Employers must cover medical expenses and employee benefits in case of disability due to work-related accidents or diseases. Social insurance benefits are paid if the employee is assessed as having a disability lasting more than three days, as follows: In cases of temporary disability, 75% of the insured's last monthly earnings before the onset of the disability are paid until recovery. This benefit is paid for a maximum of 12 months. For permanent disability of at least 30%, a lump sum equal to 15 times the employee's monthly earnings is paid. For permanent disability under 30%, a lump sum of 15 times the monthly earnings is paid, proportional to the degree of disability. For permanent disability of 100%, a monthly pension equal to 75% of the last monthly earnings before the disability began is paid.
In Namibia, a person who earns a salary must pay tax. Residents are liable to pay tax on their income from sources within and outside of Namibia. Non-residents pay taxes on income from sources in the country. The financial year in Namibia runs from March through February of the following year. An employer must deduct tax from the salary of an employee in accordance with the tax rates and pay the tax amount to the Inland Revenue Department. An employer should issue the employee a tax certificate (PAYE 5 certificate) indicating the total remuneration and the amount of tax deducted. The certificate should be delivered: Within 30 days after the end of February, if the employer continues employing the employee Within 14 days, if the employer has stopped employing the employee, and Within 7 days, if the employer has stopped being an employer Marginal tax rates vary from 0% to 37%.
Namibia has also introduced an e-visa for nationals from countries that are eligible for a visa-on-arrival.
In Namibia, an employment permit is granted for a duration of 12 months. The processing fee is NAD 2,600 (Namibian dollars) per year, and the non-refundable handling fee is NAD 80. The following documents are to be submitted: Completed temporary work permit form number 0/2742(2) Completed visa application form number 3-10033 Completed medical report form number 3-1/0003 Completed radiological report form number 3-1/0004 Completed deed of surety form number 3-1/0005 signed by the bank or employer Copy of passport (personal data page) 2 passport photos Police clearance certificate from the country of origin and the last country of residence for the past 6 months Copy of marriage certificate if married to a Namibian citizen, and proof of citizenship Registration with the Namibia Professional Board/ Council or Association, if required by the profession Employment offer (completion of the employer’s representation form) Company profile Proof of advertisement of the vacancy in a local newspaper to be submitted by the employer Proof of Social Security Commission registration and a printed list of registered employees CVs of unsuccessful Namibia candidates or their full names, highest qualifications, and contact details For the renewal of the work permit, the following documents must be submitted: Completed application for renewal of employment permit form Application for a re-entry visa form A motivation letter from the employer Company profile/audited financial statements/Social Security registration of employees Copy of passport Proof of being a taxpayer in Namibia Progress report on the training of Namibian employees Favorable local police clearance Proof of advertisement of the job held, CVs, or names of unsuccessful Namibians and their qualifications, and contact details Proof of local employees as well as their Social Security registration numbers.
