Description: LaRRI Certificate in Labour Study is a course which give an ideological orientation to the participants. It combines knowledge acquisition, analytical skills, strengthen the capacity of workers and their trade unionists. It is one of LaRRI’s flagship programmes. It serves to prepare workers and trade unionists for leadership positions at various levels and consists of 8 modules; English, Computer, Trade union theories and history, Namibia’s political economy, trade union organization and management, affirmative action and Gender, Labor law and collective bargaining and Globalisation.

This module covers the history of the international labour movement, trade union typology, the history of trade unions in Namibia and the emergence of trade unions in Southern Africa.

This module takes a longitudinal approach in addressing the concept of the ‘political economy’, by exploring Namibia’s pre-colonial, colonial and post-independence economy. Emphasis is placed on learning about social and economic structures, the formation of social classes, labour migration, the land question from a historical perspective, as well as, the changing family and gender relations in Namibia.

This module will teach students about human resource development in unions; union administration; financial administration and budgeting; planning and review of activities; translating vision and mission statements into strategic plans; project management and trade union investments.

This module enables students to analyse gender relations in Namibia with particular emphasis on gender laws, gender at work and gender within the trade unions. The affirmative action section provides students with a historical overview of the concept along with relevant international examples. It further enables students to examine affirmative action in the Namibian context, particularly with regards to the implementation of the Affirmative Action (Employment) Act.

This module focuses on Namibia’s legal system and the country’s labour law principles. Students will have the opportunity to gain greater understanding on labour relations and collective bargaining, using various case studies for relatability. Students will also be encouraged to compare the Labour Act of 1992 with the revised Act of 2004. The module will also focus on dispute resolution, basic conditions of employment and the social security system.

This module encourages students to examine globalisation from a historical perspective. Students will learn about the ideologies underpinning globalisation and roles played by transnational corporations and international financial institutions, such as, the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF). Students will also learn about diverging perspectives and responses to globalisation. Other aspects covered include, Export Processing Zones (EPZs), Structural Adjustment Programmes (SAPs), gender in globalisation, international trade, the New Economic Plan for African Development (NEPAD).

Students will participate in 5-day classes on English for academic purposes to equip them with the skills and methods necessary to write academically.

Students will be able to attain hardware and software knowledge for computer usage and will learn how to effectively complete their projects and assignments using Microsoft Office. This includes learning how to create PowerPoint presentations, using Microsoft Word to produce their assignments, email communication, social networking for professional purposes inter alia.