 |
LEC812S - LABOUR ECONOMICS - 2ND OPP - NOV 2024 |
|
|
1 Page 1 |
▲back to top |
nAmlBIA UnlVERSITY
OF SCIEnCE Ano TECHnOLOGY
FACULTY OF COMMERCE, HUMAN SCIENCES,AND EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT OF GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT SCIENCES
QUALIFICATION: BACHELOR OF EMPLOYMENT AND LABOUR RELATIONS DEGREE
QUALIFICATION CODE: 0SBERLH
LEVEL: 8
COURSE CODE: LEC812S
COURSE NAME: LABOUR ECONOMICS
SESSION: November 2024
DURATION: 3 HOURS
PAPER: THEORY
MARKS: 100
EXAMINER
SECOND OPPORTUNITY EXAMINATION QUESTION PAPER
Ms Martha Namutuwa
MODERATOR:
Mr. Elias Amunyela
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Answer ALL the questions.
2. Write clearly and neatly.
3. Number the answers clearly.
THIS EXAMINATION QUESTION PAPER CONSISTS OF 4 PAGES INCLUDING THE COVER
PAGE.
|
|
2 Page 2 |
▲back to top |
READ THE QUESTIONS BELOW CAREFULLY AND ANSWER THEM ALL.
SECTION A
40 Marks
1.1 Explain the objectives of the Namibia Labour Force Survey which is conducted by the
Namibia Statics Agency (NSA} after every three years?
10 Marks
1.2 Discuss the why productivity and labour should be considered together?
10 Marks
1.3 Discuss factors that can determine the supply and demand for labour in the Namibian
labour market
10 Marks
1.4 Discussthe three different types of unions and provide an example of each type? 10 Marks
|
|
3 Page 3 |
▲back to top |
SECTION B
60 Marks
Read the article below and answer the questions that follow.
The rise of 'militant' unions in Namibia
As Namibia joins the rest of the world in celebrating Workers' Day tomorrow, most unionists
in the country feel the financial situation is tough for many workers. Workers' Day, celebrated
every first day of May worldwide, coincides with the rise of radical unions. Among them are
the National Union of Retail Industry Workers of Namibia, fronted by businessman-cum-
activist Michael Amushelelo, as well as the Namibia Media Professionals Union (Nampu)
fronted by Jemima Beukes, and the Affirmative Repositioning-affiliated Revolutionary Union.
"However, thanks to the introduction of the National Union of Retail Industry Workers of
Namibia, as well as the Namibia Security Workers Union of which I am the president, workers
are regaining their faith and trust in unions once more," he says. Amushelelo says a big
challenge for unions is the weaponisation of the courts to grant interdicts to companies to
prevent unions from representing workers. "Thus far, we have been interdicted from Namib
Mills Pty Ltd and Namica Supermarket CC, where we have members who need our
representation due to the exploitation of workers. The high unemployment rate we have in
our country also makes it difficult for workers to exercise sit-ins as a tool for industrial action,
because they are just immediately dismissed and replaced with the next unemployed
individual," he says. Amushelelo says strikes were the greatest defence against exploitation,
however, a Supreme Court ruling, which now allows companies to make use of casual workers
while employees are striking, makes it difficult for workers to force companies to negotiate
with them.
'NON-EXISTENT MINISTRY'
He says another factor is the "non-existent Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations and
Employment Creation", which he says is supposed to enforce and protect the interests of
workers. Amushelelo says the government considers investors' interests before those of
workers.
"If you are not happy with the salary, the attitude is 'go home, there are over 1,6 million
Namibians who are unemployed and will be very happy to earn these peanuts you don't want
to'. The problem is that companies have gotten used to dealing with sellout unions that are
paid bribes to not defend and protect the interests of workers," he says. "Now that they are
dealing with militant and radical unions, confrontation becomes the order of the day to force
them to the negotiation table. "Plus, most companies, once they see it is the militant and
radical unions, refuse us entry to their premises, and, unfortunately, we are forced to take
action to show them we are not these useless Mickey Mouse unions they are used to dealing
with," Amushelelo says. Adopted from the Namibian newspaper, 30 April 2024 by Eino
Vatileni
|
|
4 Page 4 |
▲back to top |
2.1 Reflecting at the above Namibian article, discuss the negative and positive impact of the
unions on flexibility and productivity in the labour market
20 Marks
2.2 With reference to the article what would be the expected role of the "Non-existence
Ministry" referred in ensuring fair condition of employment in case the is no collective
bargaining intervention.
10 Marks
2.3 Discuss the reasons for studying labour economics and what critical information does it
provides.
10 Marks
2.4 Explain the factors that cause wage differences among employees in the labour Market
20 Marks
[TOTAL MARKS 100]