Over 208 of the 235 former Okapale fishermen at Walvis Bay employed by Iyaloo Women Group Investment are accusing the company’s management of unfair labour treatment, non-compliance with the labour law, and unethical practices.
This comes after a delay in the workers receiving their basic salaries this month.
The 235 fishermen were part of the 590 formerly employed by various fishing companies.
They lost their jobs due to their participation in an illegal strike in 2015.
They camped near Kuisebmond Stadium at Walvis Bay for about five years.
Earlier last year, the ministries of Fisheries and Labour signed an agreement with several fishing companies to provide full-time employment to the Okapale fishermen.
One of the companies that absorbed the former Okapale fishermen is Iyaloo Women Goup Investment.
In their petition, the group claimed the company has no employment for them, accusing the company of misusing quotas for personal gain.
The men say they are employed as general workers, as per their contracts and payslips.
Their salaries, amounting to about N$5,600, are yet to be settled for this month.
The group says they signed the contracts as is, as they had no other choice.
They were desperate, they say, for jobs and decent salaries.
Only then, they say, did the company come up with a strategy that only catered to fishermen aged 51 and over for work at sea, as per a joint venture agreement.
The company management called for a meeting for all employees at a venue that could accommodate all 235 workers; however, they opted to gather in front of the company’s gate.
Regarding the payment issues, the employees confirmed that they have since started receiving their basic salaries as well as housing allowances.
Leave a Reply