The Chairperson of Okapare fisherman has rebutted allegations that the union which represents the fisherman in Walvis Bay in Namibia committed fraud, by terminating the employment of 612 employees with five fishing companies.
On Friday, Metcalfe Beukes attorneys issued a letter accusing the union representing the Okapare fisherman of committing fraud, stating that the union terminated the employment of the fishermen without their consent or knowledge.
Metcalfe Beukes attorneys, acting on the instructions of instructions of Hodago Fishing (Pty) Ltd; Kuiseb Fishing (Pty) Ltd; Cavema Fishing (Pty) Ltd; Camoposatu Investments (Pty) Ltd; and Vernier Investments (Pty) Ltd, argued that their clients were cheated as the resignations were not carried out in accordance with the wishes of the workers.
The Chairperson of Okapare ex-striking fishermen, Godfried Kuhanga added that the companies in question, were allocated quota’s in 2020 to give employment to fishermen who had been dismissed consequent to an illegal strike in 2015 and who designated themselves the Okapare ex-striking fishermen. He added that some of the fishermen given employment also included specified Namsov retrenched employees.
Kuhanga has however added that although this companies received fishing quotas from government in order to create employment, they however did not fulfill their promise of hiring the jobless fishermen.
“What was reported in the media is not true. The companies are not giving the Okapare fishermen any jobs, but however just paying them half the amount. These companies that were allocated quotas used the workers they already had prior to the agreement with government, they had their permanent workers already. What they are doing here in Walvis Bay is like the new fishrot” Kuhanga said.
He added that while the fishermen were promised N$ 9 000, they are only paid N$ 4 000, while they stay at home without doing anything.
“The fishermen want the jobs they were promised. There has been not employment created for the past two years. We do not want to be treated as disabled, living on monthly allowance from quota holding companies while we are able bodied and want to work,” Kuhanga shared.
He further demanded a report from the said investigation committee of the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine resources, and the Ministry of Labour as promised.