Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Eino Vatileni
Published on 2024-03-19 17:00:00
Popular Democratic Movement leader McHenry Venaani is advocating for unemployed fishermen who have been working as general workers to return to the sea. This call was made during a meeting with over 1,300 fishermen in Walvis Bay.
Venaani is currently on a familiarization visit to the Namibian Ports Authority (Namport) and its executive management. He emphasized that fishing companies were given incentives through the Government Employment Redress Programme to provide meaningful employment opportunities with full salaries to unemployed fishermen.
During his address, Venaani highlighted the stark difference in income between working as a fisherman at sea and being employed as a general worker on land. He mentioned that fishermen can earn between N$18,000 to N$25,000 when at sea, but some companies only pay them N$4,000 for similar work when they are not at sea.
The MDM leader emphasized that these companies have the capacity to pay fishermen fair salaries even when they are working at sea and still make a profit. He urged all fishermen to return to sea, regardless of the government’s stance, to ensure better working conditions and fair compensation.
Venaani also pointed out that fishing companies without fishing vessels should not be granted fishing quotas. He stressed the importance of shared profits and ensuring that all workers, especially fishermen, are treated fairly and receive adequate compensation.
Referring to the Government Employment Redress Programme, Venaani expressed disappointment that it has not adequately protected workers as intended. He questioned the fisheries and marine resources minister on the challenges facing the program and requested an update on the employment outcomes for fishermen in the hake sector.
The Government Employment Redress Programme was initiated in 2020 by the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources and the Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations, and Employment Creation. The program aimed to provide tangible employment opportunities with full salaries to unemployed fishermen. An agreement was reached in April of that year, with the hake industry committing to permanently employ 681 fishermen.
In conclusion, Venaani’s call for fishermen to return to sea and demand fair wages reflects a commitment to advocating for the rights and well-being of these workers. By addressing the disparities in compensation and calling for transparency in profit-sharing, he is striving to create a more equitable working environment for fishermen in Namibia.
Read the original article on The Namibian
