Hertta-Maria Amutenja
Nearly 200 former fishermen from Merlus Cormorant, Iyaloo, Namfi, and Rukatuka are demanding government intervention over unpaid salaries, failed transfers, and unresolved exit packages under the Government Employment Redress Programme (GERP).
In a letter dated 28 April and addressed to Deputy Prime Minister Natangwe Ithete, the Logistics and Chemicals Workers Union of Namibia (LAC Workers) secretary general Lawrence Ihuhua accused the former executive director and the former Minister of Fisheries of mishandling the programme. He said this has left many fishermen in financial distress.
“We, the undersigned, acting in our capacity as the legitimate representatives of the majority of employees under the government employees redress program, wish to lodge a formal and urgent complaint concerning the unresolved and critical issues,” said Ihuhua.
GERP is a Cabinet-approved programme run through the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources.
It was created to provide jobs to fishermen who lost employment after the 2015 illegal industrial action and abandonment.
By April 2024, a total of 2,483 ex-fishermen had been placed in 15 designated companies.
To support the process, the government allocated quotas of 18 370 tonnes of hake and 16 500 tonnes of horse mackerel.
The workers claim the transition to new companies failed.
Many remained unpaid and idle at home.
“The former executive director failed to conduct a proper handover, leaving the incoming administration uninformed, ill-equipped, and unable to account for the historical obligations of the ministry and the companies involved,” said Ihuhua.
He said the failure to transfer employees, especially from Merlus Commarant, amounts to constructive dismissal.
He warned that the government could be held vicariously liable for violating labour rights.
The union also claims exit packages from Iyaloo, Namfi, and Rukatuka were never fully paid, violating sections 34 and 37 of the Labour Act.
“The failure to ensure the complete payment of exit benefits has placed these workers in prolonged financial distress and represents a breakdown in both employer duty and public sector oversight,” said Ihuhua.
The letter said some companies that received quotas did not have operational vessels. Workers were paid while staying at home with no duties.
“We urge the honourable Deputy Prime Minister not to delay action, as many of these women are in dire socio-economic conditions, having been promised redress, dignity, and reintegration into the formal economy,” the letter read.
In January 2024, workers under the Mining, Metal, Maritime, and Construction Union (MMMC) petitioned the then fisheries minister, Derek Klazen.
They asked to be moved from Iyaloo, Merlus, Hangana, and Novanam to Blue Chromis Fishing (Pty) Ltd, which offered a monthly salary of N\$8,610—almost double what they were earning.
Klazen said the ministry was open to the request. He later announced a payroll verification audit to check if some workers were listed on multiple payrolls or not reporting for work.
In April 2024, Klazen questioned the sustainability of the redress programme.
He cited declining fish stocks and said quotas should return to the ministry if workers are no longer employed.
