Justicia Shipena
Former employees of Namsov and Heinaste say they are suffering mental, emotional and physical distress due to the government’s failure to resolve their back pay.
The fishermen, supported by the Mining, Metal, Maritime and Construction Workers Union (MMMCWU), have threatened to approach the Office of the President and take legal action if their demands are not met by Friday.
The group, which is part of the government’s redress programme following the Fishrot scandal, travelled from Walvis Bay to Windhoek and protested outside Government Park on Tuesday. They are demanding that fishing quotas be reallocated to Blue Chromis PTY Ltd, a company they say offers fair and stable employment.
“We stand here not in protest, but in determined pursuit of justice and dignity for Namibian workers,” said MMMCWU secretary general Joseph Garoeb during the handover of the petition to the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources.
Garoeb said the affected workers have been on “no work, no pay” contracts since December 2022. He claimed that millions worth of quotas have been allocated to companies with no proven capacity, while workers continue to suffer.
The union is calling for the immediate reallocation of quotas from Hangana Sea Food, Merlus Fishing, Iyaloo Women Investment, and Novanam Fishing to Blue Chromis PTY Ltd. Garoeb said the company has emerged as the workers’ preferred employer over the past five months due to its offer of permanent contracts, a take-home salary of N$8,400, housing allowances, pension, and a share-based fish commission.
“This proposal reflects the kind of dignified employment workers deserve,” said Garoeb. He said the offer from Blue Chromis has already led other companies to revise their own conditions.
The union further claims the current quota allocation process violated the designation agreement, as quotas were issued before employment contracts were signed. Workers reportedly earn as little as N$1,200 to N$2,000 per month, while quotas are valued at up to N$700,000.
Garoeb accused civil servants responsible for the redress programme of failing to uphold accountability and showing arrogance toward the affected workers.
He also called for the establishment of an independent commission of inquiry, including representatives from the Anti-Corruption Commission, the Namibian Police, labour experts, and worker representatives, to investigate irregularities in the quota allocation process.
“Laws and policies have been ignored, while some unions with quota ownership have conflicted interests, further worsening the suffering of workers,” said Garoeb.
According to the petition, the fisheries minister gave assurances on 18 May 2025 that the matter would be resolved politically or socially.
However, the fishermen say no tangible action has followed.
“We request that future allocations be made with proper engagement and formal employment agreements that honour the workers’ choice of employer,” the petition reads.
David Sheehama, one of the fishermen affected, said he is unable to support his family.
“I am suffering. I cannot even express it. I want my back pay to help my child further her studies,” he told the Windhoek Observer.
Executive director in the ministry of fisheries, Teofelus Nghitila, received the petition on behalf of the minister.
“The ministry will continue to engage with you as it has been the case. We really are committed to resolve the issue.
I met with you two times and we are addressing one matter at a time. As we speak, most of the employees are now back to work. This back pay is a new matter which you had forwarded to our office and it is receiving attention from the ministry,” he said.
Nghitila said the ministry’s engagement with the workers has been constructive and expressed confidence in reaching a solution.
This week’s protest follows a similar demonstration four months ago by around 400 former employees of Heinaste and Namsov 73, who had gone without pay for three months. They had refused to sign contracts with the companies allocated to them under the redress programme.
