Certain parts of the new Labour Act have come into force with effect from 1 December, Labour Minister Alfeus Naruseb told the National Assembly this week, before the House went into recess. The rest of the law should be effected by July 2006, Naruseb said, while he would table amendments next February, before the law is in force. Since Thursday 2 clauses are enforced regarding the labour Advisory Council and the arbitration committee. The new law caused severe criticism from employers and trade unions, which both said many of their recommendations did not make into the new legislation. The Namibia Employers Federation said the added leave days for employees lowered the annual gross domestic product by 2 percent due to increased costs.