Geingob supports striking fishermen

President Hage Geingob has expressed support for fishermen who embarked on an illegal strike demanding better conditions of employment. Geingob, who met with some of the workers and union representatives at State House yesterday afternoon, expressed sympathy with the workers, saying that slavery cannot be condoned. He said Namibia should imitate countries like China which allow any country to do business within its boundaries but on condition that companies comply with local laws. “We cannot be partners if you deny our own people their human rights,” Geingob said. Geingob requested the Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Chief Samuel Ankama, to get the names of the companies allegedly mistreating their employees. “Bring those managers to me,” he said. Geingob was briefed by a representative of the Metal, Mining, Maritime and Construction (MMMC) Union, Immanuel Petrus. Petrus explained why they started the wildcat strike, claiming that if a worker gets sick at sea they only get medical attention once the full vessel returns to shore or if there is a passing vessel heading for the harbour, as there are no medical staff on board. He further told the president that the workers have abnormal working hours, claiming that they are forced to work for 24 hours continuously. Petrus said according to the Labour Act an employee should only work for eight hours and a maximum of three hours’ overtime but the fishing companies are not complying with that and the labour ministry is turning a blind eye. He said the fishermen had been patient since 2008 and want the president to intervene. Petrus said the Ministry of Labour failed to issue the fishing companies with compliance orders after an inspection that found them guilty of contravening the Labour Act. Petrus said he is satisfied with the action taken by Geingob to engage all stakeholders to rectify the situation as soon as possible. Petrus acknowledged that the strike is illegal but justified it by saying that they were forced to take such drastic action. The striking fishermen are adamant that they will not return to their vessels until the government intervenes to address their grievances. The permanent secretary in the Ministry of Labour, Bro-Matthew Shinguadja, informed Geingob and the fishermen that by next week Tuesday an amicable solution would be reached with the fishing sector. He confirmed that the fishing companies were found in contravention of certain provisions of the Labour Act and that steps would be taken to rectify the situation by November 10. KENYA KAMBOWE