Govt keen to address 'marred' labour standards in fisheries sector
Paving the way for decent working conditions
Labour minister Utoni Nujoma emphasised the key role of job creation within the fisheries sector while acknowledging that substandard labour conditions pose a significant challenge.
Namibia's labour ministry, in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO), has launched the national coordination mechanism (NCM), with a focus on decent work within the Namibian fisheries sector.
The sector's NCM will oversee compliance with international labour standards and facilitate dialogue among stakeholders to enhance working conditions and operational efficiency.
Labour minister Utoni Nujoma officially launched the project on 19 March.
Nujoma said that the fisheries sector plays a crucial role in Namibia's economy.
"The fisheries sector provides employment and uplifts the livelihood for many of our citizens. However, it is also a sector that has been marred by challenges, including issues relating to decent work, occupational health and safety, forced labour, as well as violence and harassment on some vessels using Namibian ports."
Nujoma said government is serious about addressing employment conditions in the fishing sector.
"For this reason, the Government of the Republic of Namibia has once again shown its commitment to addressing key issues that affect the operations in the fishing sector, hence the constitution of the NCM, which is aimed at creating awareness, discussing issues that pave the way for improvement and promotion, and bringing about opportunities in the Namibian fisheries supply chain."
International laws
Namibia, through the labour ministry, in addition to national labour legislation, ratified the ILO legal instruments, which are pivotal to the fisheries sector's operations.
These include the 'Work in Fishing' convention and the 'Elimination of Violence and Harassment in the World of Work' convention, among others.
"These legal instruments have become part of our laws, and most importantly, ensure that they are enforced immediately after ratification," the minister said.
According to Nujoma, the ILO, in cooperation with the European Union through the Sustainable Supply Chains to Build Better (SSCBFB) project, assisted Namibia in addressing decent work challenges and opportunities in the Namibian fisheries supply chain.
"Together, we constituted the national tripartite advisory committee members (NTAC) to spearhead and facilitate the implementation of the SSCBFB project," he said.
[email protected]
The sector's NCM will oversee compliance with international labour standards and facilitate dialogue among stakeholders to enhance working conditions and operational efficiency.
Labour minister Utoni Nujoma officially launched the project on 19 March.
Nujoma said that the fisheries sector plays a crucial role in Namibia's economy.
"The fisheries sector provides employment and uplifts the livelihood for many of our citizens. However, it is also a sector that has been marred by challenges, including issues relating to decent work, occupational health and safety, forced labour, as well as violence and harassment on some vessels using Namibian ports."
Nujoma said government is serious about addressing employment conditions in the fishing sector.
"For this reason, the Government of the Republic of Namibia has once again shown its commitment to addressing key issues that affect the operations in the fishing sector, hence the constitution of the NCM, which is aimed at creating awareness, discussing issues that pave the way for improvement and promotion, and bringing about opportunities in the Namibian fisheries supply chain."
International laws
Namibia, through the labour ministry, in addition to national labour legislation, ratified the ILO legal instruments, which are pivotal to the fisheries sector's operations.
These include the 'Work in Fishing' convention and the 'Elimination of Violence and Harassment in the World of Work' convention, among others.
"These legal instruments have become part of our laws, and most importantly, ensure that they are enforced immediately after ratification," the minister said.
According to Nujoma, the ILO, in cooperation with the European Union through the Sustainable Supply Chains to Build Better (SSCBFB) project, assisted Namibia in addressing decent work challenges and opportunities in the Namibian fisheries supply chain.
"Together, we constituted the national tripartite advisory committee members (NTAC) to spearhead and facilitate the implementation of the SSCBFB project," he said.
[email protected]
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article