What is Essential Service?

Essential services may refer to a class of occupations that have been legislated by a government to have special restrictions in regard to labour actions such as not being allowed to strike. The International Labour Office, a United Nations agency, distinguishes an essential service from a minimum service

How To Register As An Essential Service In Namibia

The ministry of industrialization, trade and SME development launched the website (www.namessentialservices.com) to enable all essential and crucial service providers to apply for their travel certificates online to ensure business continuity.

The ministry released a circular on 1 April 2020, informing businesses that the initial certificate that was issued will phase out within 72 hours of the site being launched as these were temporary certificates.

The process for the online application and subsequent requirements are set out below:

• Service providers log onto www.namessentialservices.com to sign up and will then receive a security code (like an OTP) and a password via email. Note that the OTP is only valid for 180 seconds – so check your mailbox for the email address used to sign up, as well as your junk mail.

• The Service providers need to upload a copy of their CM1 (certificate of incorporation for companies) or a CC1 (founding stage for Closed Corporations) in jpg. Jpeg, or pdf format. The file sizes should not be bigger than 1Mb.

• Once the information is verified by the officials at the ministry of industrialization, trade and sme development, certificates of authorization will be sent to the applicant via email.

• It is the responsibility of the service provider to issue documents as per the Proclamation #9 Section 10 (4) to their employees operating, in addition to a copy of the certificate.

• The status of an application can be viewed online and the certificate can be downloaded directly from the www.namessentialservices.com website once approved.

• If challenges are encountered during the application process on the online platform, contact itsupport@mobipay.com.na or Ndiitah.Robiati@mitsmed.gov.na

• Please adhere at all times to the guideline of the ministry of health and social services on social distancing and personal hygiene.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

What are essential and non essential employees?

A nonessential employee’s duties do not impact the critical infrastructure of a city, state, or country. Essential employees are employed in roles that are vital during a natural disaster or emergency, such as healthcare workers, emergency services, and public workers

Who is considered an essential frontline worker in Namibia?

This interim list identifies “essential workers” as those who conduct a range of operations and services in industries that are essential to ensure the continuity of critical functions in Namibia. Persons ≥75 years of age and frontline essential worker

Is auditing an essential service?

Accounting and auditing services are not listed as essential services in terms of the Lockdown Regulations or the Labour Relations Act. It also does not appear possible for a profession to be registered as an essential service.

What are essential public services?

While social protection generally refers to cash transfers and social insurance, such as adequate pensions for older persons, essential public services include the provision of basic social services, such as health and education

What are examples of essential services

For cities, essential services include police stations, hardware stores, banks, auto repair shops, garbage collection, gas stations, hotels and motels, pet stores, public transit and more

Who is deemed an essential worker in Namibia?

According to the U..S Department of Homeland Security, essential workers are those who conduct a range of operations and services that are typically essential to continue critical infrastructure operations. Critical infrastructure is a large, umbrella term encompassing sectors from energy to defense to agriculture.

What is considered an essential job function?

Essential job functions are the fundamental duties of a position: the things a person holding the job absolutely must be able to do. An employee who can’t perform the essential job functions, even with a reasonable accommodation, isn’t considered qualified for the job and isn’t protected from discrimination.

Is Uber driver essential worker in Namibia?

All rideshare and delivery drivers are essential to keeping our communities moving. As of April 19th, all adults in the US and Puerto Rico will be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine