Fishing workers escalate quota fight with petition

Fishing industry workers in the Erongo region have escalated their dispute with government over fishing quotas, handing a petition to Erongo governor Nathalia /Goagoses amid growing unrest in the sector.

The petition, coordinated by the Mining, Metal, Maritime and Construction Workers Union (MMMC), was submitted on 9 April and forms part of a broader wave of protests and complaints over the state’s quota allocation system.

Workers are demanding an investigation into the auctioning of quotas, arguing the system is undermining employment and leaving many without stable income.

The petition directly challenges the government’s position that quotas are limited, questioning how allocations can be auctioned while workers remain unpaid or unemployed.

"The minister of fisheries said they do not have quota… however, where did the ministry get this quota to auction to the highest bidder?” the petition states.

Workers argue the auction model prioritises revenue over job security, with companies unable to guarantee long-term employment without consistent quota allocations.

The submission follows recent demonstrations in Walvis Bay, where workers protested against quota auctions and warned of worsening labour conditions across the fishing industry.

Long-term uncertainty

The Confederation of Namibian Fishing Associations has previously criticised the quota auction system, warning it creates uncertainty for operators and undermines long-term planning.

“It is a lottery where no one can predict how much fish they will win in the next season,” the confederation had said.

The body has further cautioned that the system disadvantages companies employing Namibians and is already contributing to job losses in the sector.

The petition also details ongoing wage disputes linked to the Government Employment Redress Programme (GERP), with workers alleging prolonged periods without income.

“Until today there are some people within the group that did not receive any of their back-pay that is unfair,” the document states.

Some workers claim they have not received salaries for as many as five months, while others received only partial payments despite agreements reached with authorities.

Livelihoods destroyed

Additional petitions submitted alongside the main document highlight broader structural issues in the sector.

Workers raised concerns over “no work, no pay” contracts and the use of third-party labour hire arrangements instead of direct employment.

Former employees say they have remained without work since the 2018 pilchard moratorium, with no response from government despite repeated appeals.

“We have not received any solution or response from the government… we are now suffering from poverty,” their petition reads.

Employees from some companies also raised concerns about seasonal employment, saying they are only employed for short periods without benefits, leaving households without reliable income.

Workers are calling for quotas to be used to secure employment, settle outstanding wages and stabilise the industry.

“We want this issue investigated… and stopped as it is only benefiting certain people,” the petition states.

The governor received the petition from MMMC secretary general Joseph Garoeb and indicated it would be reviewed and forwarded to the Office of the President.