Labour unions in the Erongo region have challenged the government to tighten controls on Namibian shores to curb illegal fishing and human trafficking.
Mining, Metal, Maritime and Construction Workers Union (MMMC) regional organiser Immanuel Petrus says he is baffled by reports of a trafficking syndicate detected in Namibian waters while the government has ratified Convention 188 of the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
“In that convention, it is stated that vessels must keep records of crew members on board. Many companies are doing exactly that, but the government does not keep such records,” he says.
Petrus proposes that the government implement a system according to which all employers must keep a list of their crew on board vessels, and update the list on a monthly basis.
He said those who fail to do so must not be allowed to operate in Namibian waters. “Currently if you file a case against a foreign-flag vessel, the likelihood of getting assistance at the Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation is close to zero,” he says.
Petrus says the government lacks the commitment to prevent forced labour in the fishing industry.
He referred to the recent trafficking of 60 fishermen, of whom eight are Namibian, on board the MV Shang Fu vessel and Nata 2 vessel, owned by Nata Fishing Enterprises.
The fishermen were allegedly maltreated and some had no work permits or visas.
Unions have said they were not aware of the existence of Nata Fishing Enterprises.
Chun-Ming Ou was on 30 June fined N$175 000 on a count of contravening marine resources regulations by dumping fish.
He was also charged N$50 000 for failing to carry an up-to-date diagram of the vessel, certified by a competent authority of the flag state.
Daniel Imbili, the president of the Namibia Fishing Industries (NFI) and Fishermen and Allied Workers’ Unions (FWU), says: “Let us get together as unions and government to find a working system to protect our fishermen.”