A group of 590 ex-Okapale fishermen submitted a petition to the minister of fisheries and marine resources, Derek Klazen, on Friday.
In the petition they expressed their disappointment in the agreement process between the fisherires ministry, the Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation, and the companies which were to employ them.
The fishermen, who have been unemployed since 2015 following an industrial strike which led to job losses, were designated to the Alube Fishing, Rukatuka Investment and Namfi Fishing MÖwebaai joint venture companies, with promises that they would get their first salaries backdated from 1 July.
This information was communicated at a meeting at Walvis Bay on 13 July, with promises that the companies would be allocated fishing quotas to ensure the timely payment of the group’s salaries.
According to the group chairperson, Godfried Kuhanga, the fishermen are, however, disappointed that no quotas have been issued to the companies since then, resulting in salary payments not being honoured.
Kuhanga says the companies told group members that their inability to honour salary commitments was caused by inadequate fishing quotas. “This situation has caused us profound distress and uncertainty . . .
“Despite the promise of salaries commencing from 1 July 2023, this commitment has not been upheld. The absence of compensation has severe repercussions . . . Tragically, the stress and emotional instability arising from this situation have led to the unfortunate loss of two of our members within the Okapere community in the past two weeks.” the petition reads.
The group is urging the minister to tend to the situation before 29 August, adding that they would follow their petition up with a demonstration in Windhoek and Walvis Bay if their request is not honoured. The chairperson of the Namfi Fishing MÖwebaai joint venture company, Phillipus Iwete, on Friday said his company has taken over 200 fishermen and is busy with their process.
“We have not signed the contract with the group yet, although we signed with the ministry. We are still in the process of verification. It takes time. “There is no work done by the group yet. After the process is done, contracts will be signed and actual operation will start.
“It may take about two weeks. We have sat with the committee and explained everything to them. They will be attended to very soon,” he said.
Klazen on Friday confirmed that the matter is still in the process of being finalised.
“The executive director informed me that quotas were released to companies. I believe the last ones were released on 24 August. “The reason for taking time was to sort out administration matters with some companies. The ministry is also planning to meet with these companies next Friday to hear from them and clarify matters.
“We will also get clarity if all affected workers are now employed,” he said.
The fisheries ministry started the employment process in November 2022 by placing a public call for interest in local newspapers, evaluated the responses and reported to the Cabinet with recommendations.
Helgoland Fishing, Trilliant Investment CC, Iyaloo Women Investment Group, Blue Chromis, Rukatuka Investment, Alube Fishing and Namfi Fishing MÖwebaai joint venture were approved after they demonstrated the capacity and readiness to provide the required jobs.
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