Fishing crisis deserves state of emergency declaration - Nekongo
Swapo member of parliament Ephraim Nekongo says the long-standing issue of unemployed fishermen at Walvis Bay should be declared a state of emergency, stressing that Namibia cannot continue grappling with the same problem because of politicians "who just go there to score cheap political points".
Following countless protests and failed discussions between fishermen and the government, Nekongo believes the seventh administration failed to "properly address the issue".
Speaking on NTV’s The Agenda recently, Nekongo said some officials, once appointed, tend to be "on the run" and forget the real work that needs to be done.
“I think the issue of fishing needs serious attention, especially at this time. We cannot keep dealing with the same thing over and over again," he said.
"The other time I was there, I saw factories that were built and they are standing empty. The question now is, who are the ones being given quotas? Whether it’s freezer quotas or whatever the case may be, why can they not create employment for the people? And that’s why we are saying it cannot be business as usual," he noted.
"And yet, you expect someone to be called upon when you cannot even solve a simple problem over five years. So for me, honestly speaking, the issue of the fishermen, if it needs to be declared a state of emergency, then let it be. We cannot keep having the same problem because of politicians who just go there to score cheap political points, like what they did now, and then think they won,” Nekongo added.
Nekongo stressed that that is not winning. “I think the minister should have attended to these things properly. We cannot continue having the same problem over and over again. We do not go to the people, and maybe we do not even want to listen to them. Yes, I know we assisted them – we said, okay, give these quotas so that these people at least get something. But that was just a temporary fix while we were supposed to be solving the real problem," he argued.
"Now the question is, what is happening? Why can't we recruit them permanently? We want to tell them: if you give quotas to factories, then they must be able to absorb those people. I think it’s a situation that needs leadership, real leadership, so that, at the end of the day, the issue is solved once and for all."
Protests and petitions
Last year, a large group of fishermen formerly employed by various fishing companies protested against unfair treatment and contract terminations, and unequal taxation, among other grievances.
The group, known as the Okapale Fishermen after the Kuisebmond Stadium in Walvis Bay where they gather, submitted several petitions to authorities.
A total of 43 employees recruited by Hangana Seafood claimed they were subjected to unfair contract terminations and unequal taxation. They said they started working on 6 March 2023 but were only employed for four months. Their contracts ended on 31 July 2023, though they were later called back for another two months.
According to group spokesperson Theofilus Shilimela, the fishermen face ongoing unfair treatment, with disparities in deductions and employment terms. The group's petition outlined inconsistencies in income tax deductions, with members claiming to be taxed significantly higher than their counterparts. “They deduct us N$900 to N$1 300, while other casual workers are only deducted between N$359 and N$700,” the petition read.
The group demanded urgent intervention from then fisheries minister Derek Klazen and labour minister Utoni Nujoma.
Another group of 290 Hangana Seafood employees also expressed dissatisfaction over the conditions of their employment. Despite an agreement in 2021 to recruit them on a permanent basis, many claimed they were assigned temporary roles that did not align with the original deal.
Meanwhile, employees from Rukatuka Fishing raised similar concerns, citing a lack of active jobs and poor representation in vessel allocations.
Earlier this year, the fisheries ministry agreed to reallocate fishing quotas from Iyaloo Women Investment, Merlus Comerins, Hangana and Novanam to Blue Chromis Fishing (Pty) Ltd, following demands from former Namsov and Heinaste Fishing employees.
The fishermen, currently employed under the Government Employment Redress Programme (GERP), petitioned then-fisheries minister Klazen in Windhoek, calling for better salaries and improved working conditions.
The fishermen, represented by the Mining, Metal, Maritime and Construction Union (MMMC), through general secretary Joseph ||Garoëb, proposed that the quota be allocated to Blue Chromis, which agreed to pay a minimum salary of N$8 500, compared to the current N$4 500 offered by other companies.
After a lengthy meeting and threats to camp at the ministry if their demands were not met, Klazen ultimately granted their request.
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Following countless protests and failed discussions between fishermen and the government, Nekongo believes the seventh administration failed to "properly address the issue".
Speaking on NTV’s The Agenda recently, Nekongo said some officials, once appointed, tend to be "on the run" and forget the real work that needs to be done.
“I think the issue of fishing needs serious attention, especially at this time. We cannot keep dealing with the same thing over and over again," he said.
"The other time I was there, I saw factories that were built and they are standing empty. The question now is, who are the ones being given quotas? Whether it’s freezer quotas or whatever the case may be, why can they not create employment for the people? And that’s why we are saying it cannot be business as usual," he noted.
"And yet, you expect someone to be called upon when you cannot even solve a simple problem over five years. So for me, honestly speaking, the issue of the fishermen, if it needs to be declared a state of emergency, then let it be. We cannot keep having the same problem because of politicians who just go there to score cheap political points, like what they did now, and then think they won,” Nekongo added.
Nekongo stressed that that is not winning. “I think the minister should have attended to these things properly. We cannot continue having the same problem over and over again. We do not go to the people, and maybe we do not even want to listen to them. Yes, I know we assisted them – we said, okay, give these quotas so that these people at least get something. But that was just a temporary fix while we were supposed to be solving the real problem," he argued.
"Now the question is, what is happening? Why can't we recruit them permanently? We want to tell them: if you give quotas to factories, then they must be able to absorb those people. I think it’s a situation that needs leadership, real leadership, so that, at the end of the day, the issue is solved once and for all."
Protests and petitions
Last year, a large group of fishermen formerly employed by various fishing companies protested against unfair treatment and contract terminations, and unequal taxation, among other grievances.
The group, known as the Okapale Fishermen after the Kuisebmond Stadium in Walvis Bay where they gather, submitted several petitions to authorities.
A total of 43 employees recruited by Hangana Seafood claimed they were subjected to unfair contract terminations and unequal taxation. They said they started working on 6 March 2023 but were only employed for four months. Their contracts ended on 31 July 2023, though they were later called back for another two months.
According to group spokesperson Theofilus Shilimela, the fishermen face ongoing unfair treatment, with disparities in deductions and employment terms. The group's petition outlined inconsistencies in income tax deductions, with members claiming to be taxed significantly higher than their counterparts. “They deduct us N$900 to N$1 300, while other casual workers are only deducted between N$359 and N$700,” the petition read.
The group demanded urgent intervention from then fisheries minister Derek Klazen and labour minister Utoni Nujoma.
Another group of 290 Hangana Seafood employees also expressed dissatisfaction over the conditions of their employment. Despite an agreement in 2021 to recruit them on a permanent basis, many claimed they were assigned temporary roles that did not align with the original deal.
Meanwhile, employees from Rukatuka Fishing raised similar concerns, citing a lack of active jobs and poor representation in vessel allocations.
Earlier this year, the fisheries ministry agreed to reallocate fishing quotas from Iyaloo Women Investment, Merlus Comerins, Hangana and Novanam to Blue Chromis Fishing (Pty) Ltd, following demands from former Namsov and Heinaste Fishing employees.
The fishermen, currently employed under the Government Employment Redress Programme (GERP), petitioned then-fisheries minister Klazen in Windhoek, calling for better salaries and improved working conditions.
The fishermen, represented by the Mining, Metal, Maritime and Construction Union (MMMC), through general secretary Joseph ||Garoëb, proposed that the quota be allocated to Blue Chromis, which agreed to pay a minimum salary of N$8 500, compared to the current N$4 500 offered by other companies.
After a lengthy meeting and threats to camp at the ministry if their demands were not met, Klazen ultimately granted their request.
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