Okapare fishermen plead for GRN intervention in redress programme

About 600 Okapare fishermen have requested government intervention regarding the challenges they face under the Government Employment Redress Programme (GERP), stating that if they do not receive a response within seven working days, they plan to march to the fisheries and labour ministry offices in Windhoek.

Godfried Kuhanga, chairperson of the Okapare Fishermen Association, said on Friday that workers have been exploited for the past five years under the employment redress programme.

“New designations were signed with various companies, but the situation continues to repeat itself: no work, no benefits, and exploitation of fishermen. The programme has become a self-enrichment scheme. While about 2,500 fishermen and fisheries workers have benefited from GERP, the Okapare fishermen demand urgent and concerted intervention to find an amicable, long-lasting solution that realises the programme’s intended benefits.”

The group also questioned the lack of transparency and accountability in allocating fishing quotas and placing fishermen with these companies.

“The lack of clear criteria, favouritism, poor communication, and corruption has undermined trust in the programme and the institutions behind it. The redress programme alone cannot repair the damage caused by fishing companies who were previously their employers, or by the long-term idle employment under current companies. We demand asset recovery, international accountability, and long-term reintegration strategies.”

Kuhanga added that the programme must be rights-based, not transactional:

“It should not rely on threats but aim to restore dignity, livelihoods, and trust. Fishermen should not be used to fill gaps at quota-allocated companies, but be given employment that sustains their families and develops their skills. We have written to the executive director of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Water and Land Reform regarding these issues.”

He said they questioned the criteria used in assigning fishermen to specific companies, some of which have a history of labour disputes or lack proper facilities.

“A total of 222 fishermen have not received their January 2026 salaries, and it is now the end of February. Some companies are still waiting for fishing quotas and agreements from the ministry. Decisions are being made without fishermen’s input, causing frustration and uncertainty.”

CHALLENGES A T SPECIFIC COMPANIES

Merlus Cormorant

 Fifty-six former Walu employees allocated to Merlus Cormorant rejected proposed working conditions, which were verbally communicated without proper consultation. Workers had previously protested in November 2025 over the “No Work, No Pay” system and an ammonia acid outbreak at the factory.

“How can an Executive Director of Fisheries make decisions about employment issues and threaten employees with quotas? The Ministry claims it tried to allocate former employees to available opportunities, but those unwilling to join must forfeit the opportunity. Where is the Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations?”

Mabasen Fishing

 Problems persist at Mabasen Fishing, where 200 fishermen allocated in 2025 reportedly never went to sea or received employment. Despite this, the Ministry added another 55 former Walu employees to the company.

“These 200 fishermen have not received their salaries for January and February 2026. Your Ministry added 55 more fishermen to a company that cannot honour basic salary obligations. Please take people’s livelihoods seriously.”

Hangana Seafood

 Fifty-six former Walu employees assigned to Hangana Seafood remain stranded at Okapare (Kuisebmund Stadium) after the company said it could not provide proposals without the Ministry’s agreement. Repeated attempts to contact the Executive Director have reportedly gone unanswered.

A total of 150 fishermen previously allocated to Hangana resigned in 2024 after refusing factory work and were reassigned to Embwinda Fishing Company. The current group has not received salaries for two months, placing families under financial strain.

Ligatum Investment

 Fifty-five former Walu employees allocated to Ligatum Investment were offered limited opportunities, with only 10–15 able to work on a joint-venture vessel. The company provided six-month fixed-term contracts, citing Ministry-imposed employment period restrictions.

“This short-term arrangement is inconsistent with other companies offering permanent employment and negatively affects our livelihoods. We also suspect Ligatum Investment has the same directors as Rukatuka Investments. Fifty-five former Walu employees remain unpaid for January and February 2026. The company reportedly cannot pay until the government allocates fishing quotas.”

“These fishermen are human beings like all Namibians. Schools recently opened, and their children are going without school supplies and on empty stomachs. Some families are being evicted, and overall, they are really suffering. The current quota allocation system normalizes, empowers, and encourages exploitation in the fishing industry.”

The fishermen demanded an urgent meeting with the fisheries and labour ministries.

“We give seven working days to respond to our letter. If we do not receive a response, we will have no alternative but to come to Windhoek and demonstrate at your offices until our demands are addressed.”