STAFF WRITER
Namibia has called for stronger global regulation of artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace, warning that the technology must not deepen inequality or shift burdens onto vulnerable workers.
This was said by Labour Minister Fillemon Wise Immanuel during his address at the 114th International Labour Conference held on 8 June 2026 in Geneva, Switzerland.
Immanuel said AI is rapidly reshaping global labour markets and production systems, but stressed that outcomes depend on policy choices rather than technology itself.
“Technology does not determine outcomes; but policies and institutions do,” he said, welcoming the Director-General’s report on AI and decent work.
He said the future of work must be actively governed.
“The future of work must be deliberately governed, not left to chance,” Immanuel said.
Immanuel said AI presents both opportunities and risks for workers, including productivity gains and new forms of employment, but also threats to rights and equality.
“Artificial intelligence is reshaping production systems and labour markets,” he said.
He warned that without safeguards, workers could be negatively affected.
“Without adequate safeguards, AI risks shifting burdens onto vulnerable workers and deepening inequalities,” Immanuel said.
The minister said Namibia is already integrating digital tools into public institutions as part of its broader digital transformation agenda.
“This aligns with Namibia’s National Digitalisation and Skills Agenda,” he said.
He pointed to recent reforms at the Social Security Commission, which introduced digital systems to improve service delivery.
“Although the transition affected 65 positions, no workers were retrenched; instead, retraining and upskilling were prioritised,” he said.
Immanuel said many developing countries lack the infrastructure and capacity to fully benefit from AI and warned that inequality could widen without international support.
“We therefore call for stronger international cooperation, capacity-building, technology transfer, and financing,” he said.
He stressed that AI governance must be guided by global labour frameworks and social dialogue.
“We encourage Member States to establish tripartite AI advisory mechanisms,” he said.
The minister also raised concern about the impact of conflict on workers in occupied and war-affected territories, saying decent work cannot exist under such conditions.
“Decent work cannot flourish under occupation, conflict, or war,” he said.
He reaffirmed Namibia’s support for international peace frameworks and labour rights protections.
Immanuel said Namibia supports the view that AI must serve workers and not replace human dignity.
“We uphold the ILO’s founding principle that ‘labour is not a commodity’,” he said.
He added that AI should be shaped into a tool for inclusive growth.
“In doing so, we can ensure that AI becomes a force for shared prosperity, inclusive labour markets, and social justice,” Immanuel said.
COMMENTS