Over 630 fishing employees retrenched in Walvis Bay
No quota
A total of 634 employees at Princess Brand Processing were due to be retrenched, with their final day scheduled for last Friday, 15 November.
At a peaceful demonstration and petition handover at the fisheries ministry in Walvis Bay last Thursday, workers said the company had been fishing in the 200-metre isobath restriction zone for the past three years on an experimental quota that expired 31 October.
Shop steward Silas Petrus said the retrenchment had originally been set for 31 October, but the union negotiated an extension to 15 November in an effort to find alternatives to job cuts.
“The horse mackerel sector is the lifeline of the region, and our factory alone employed 634 people," he said.
"Our company announced the retrenchment process in September 2025. We managed to meet with the Erongo governor, Nathalia /Goagoses, and our meeting was fruitful."
He said the governor advised that the group propose a resolution or a way forward.
"We approached her office again, requesting a meeting with the Office of the Prime Minister and the fisheries ministry to have an audience with them. Since 10 October, after the governor agreed that she would revert back to us, we have not heard from her, leaving us in limbo.”
Devastating blow, solutions tabled
Petrus further explained that the retrenchment of 634 employees would be devastating to both their livelihoods and the local economy.
The workers petitioned the minister, underlining that they are not asking for a handout.
“We are requesting an investment in our nation’s social and economic stability. Our core proposal is the immediate designation of an exclusive fishing zone specifically managed by the wet-landed small pelagic sector only. This will significantly improve working conditions, compared to the current three- to six-month short-term contracts that many workers have been on for the past five years.”
He explained that this zone would be ring-fenced and dedicated exclusively to wet-fish vessels, protected from the operations of freezer trawlers, and sustainably managed and continuously monitored by marine scientists to ensure the long-term health of the horse mackerel stock.
“Allocating pilchard quotas to this sector will create additional employment opportunities in both the cannery and production lines," he said.
"Pilchards can be processed through cleaning, freezing and packing, then further prepared in the cannery by cooking and canning, contributing to food security and industrial growth," he added.
The group also proposed that horse mackerel quotas be issued on an interim basis to prevent the retrenchments, noting that this measure will help maintain current employment levels while long-term solutions are being finalised.
Environment of uncertainty
The workers requested a meeting with the fisheries minister later this week, by 20 November, to discuss a solution.
“We believe that with collaborative efforts, a fair and sustainable solution can be reached that protects both the employees and the health of the fishing industry.”
In a statement, Princess Brand Processing acknowledged the peaceful march and petition by its workers.
“Our decision to issue notices of retrenchment is deeply regrettable but unavoidable under the current circumstances," the company noted.
"Without operational income, we have a responsibility to act prudently and transparently. This decision was not taken lightly; it follows seven years of operating in an environment of uncertainty that has made continued employment unsustainable at present.”
The company further noted that it remains committed to the long-term establishment of a sustainable and permanent wet horse mackerel sector.
“Our detailed, science-based motivations, supported by a three-year experimental project completed on 31 October 2025, have been submitted to our national leadership for consideration. The data clearly demonstrate the sector’s potential for job creation, socio-economic growth and sustainable fishing practices.”
Authorities informed
The company added that it stands in full support of its workers and has conveyed their concerns to the relevant authorities.
“Princess Brand Processing continues to engage constructively with all stakeholders to find lasting solutions to protect jobs, restore operations and build a proud, sustainable wet horse mackerel industry for Namibia," Princess Brand Processing said.
"We remain hopeful and confident that through dialogue and collaboration, a positive outcome will be achieved for our workers, their families and the sector as a whole.”
Princess Brand Processing was previously known as Seaflower Pelagic, a company established in 2017 through a joint venture between Fishcor and African Selection Fishing Namibia.
At a peaceful demonstration and petition handover at the fisheries ministry in Walvis Bay last Thursday, workers said the company had been fishing in the 200-metre isobath restriction zone for the past three years on an experimental quota that expired 31 October.
Shop steward Silas Petrus said the retrenchment had originally been set for 31 October, but the union negotiated an extension to 15 November in an effort to find alternatives to job cuts.
“The horse mackerel sector is the lifeline of the region, and our factory alone employed 634 people," he said.
"Our company announced the retrenchment process in September 2025. We managed to meet with the Erongo governor, Nathalia /Goagoses, and our meeting was fruitful."
He said the governor advised that the group propose a resolution or a way forward.
"We approached her office again, requesting a meeting with the Office of the Prime Minister and the fisheries ministry to have an audience with them. Since 10 October, after the governor agreed that she would revert back to us, we have not heard from her, leaving us in limbo.”
Devastating blow, solutions tabled
Petrus further explained that the retrenchment of 634 employees would be devastating to both their livelihoods and the local economy.
The workers petitioned the minister, underlining that they are not asking for a handout.
“We are requesting an investment in our nation’s social and economic stability. Our core proposal is the immediate designation of an exclusive fishing zone specifically managed by the wet-landed small pelagic sector only. This will significantly improve working conditions, compared to the current three- to six-month short-term contracts that many workers have been on for the past five years.”
He explained that this zone would be ring-fenced and dedicated exclusively to wet-fish vessels, protected from the operations of freezer trawlers, and sustainably managed and continuously monitored by marine scientists to ensure the long-term health of the horse mackerel stock.
“Allocating pilchard quotas to this sector will create additional employment opportunities in both the cannery and production lines," he said.
"Pilchards can be processed through cleaning, freezing and packing, then further prepared in the cannery by cooking and canning, contributing to food security and industrial growth," he added.
The group also proposed that horse mackerel quotas be issued on an interim basis to prevent the retrenchments, noting that this measure will help maintain current employment levels while long-term solutions are being finalised.
Environment of uncertainty
The workers requested a meeting with the fisheries minister later this week, by 20 November, to discuss a solution.
“We believe that with collaborative efforts, a fair and sustainable solution can be reached that protects both the employees and the health of the fishing industry.”
In a statement, Princess Brand Processing acknowledged the peaceful march and petition by its workers.
“Our decision to issue notices of retrenchment is deeply regrettable but unavoidable under the current circumstances," the company noted.
"Without operational income, we have a responsibility to act prudently and transparently. This decision was not taken lightly; it follows seven years of operating in an environment of uncertainty that has made continued employment unsustainable at present.”
The company further noted that it remains committed to the long-term establishment of a sustainable and permanent wet horse mackerel sector.
“Our detailed, science-based motivations, supported by a three-year experimental project completed on 31 October 2025, have been submitted to our national leadership for consideration. The data clearly demonstrate the sector’s potential for job creation, socio-economic growth and sustainable fishing practices.”
Authorities informed
The company added that it stands in full support of its workers and has conveyed their concerns to the relevant authorities.
“Princess Brand Processing continues to engage constructively with all stakeholders to find lasting solutions to protect jobs, restore operations and build a proud, sustainable wet horse mackerel industry for Namibia," Princess Brand Processing said.
"We remain hopeful and confident that through dialogue and collaboration, a positive outcome will be achieved for our workers, their families and the sector as a whole.”
Princess Brand Processing was previously known as Seaflower Pelagic, a company established in 2017 through a joint venture between Fishcor and African Selection Fishing Namibia.
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