Renthia Kaimbi
Minister of Justice and Labour Relations Fillemon Wise Immanuel will meet with leaders of the Okapare fishermen next week to address their ongoing grievances. He confirmed the meeting to the Windhoek Observer.
The meeting comes days after Immanuel accompanied the fishermen into a packed Kuisebmond Stadium, where they were special guests of President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah during the launch of the Swapo party’s regional and local authority election campaign in Walvis Bay on Saturday.
On that day, the fishermen had rejoined Swapo.
The fishermen have been in conflict with the government since 2015, when mass layoffs left hundreds unemployed in the coastal town.
In 2020, the government launched the Government Employment Redress Programme (GERP), a partnership between the Ministries of Fisheries, Labour, and private fishing companies. The initiative aimed to exchange fishing quotas for guaranteed employment for around 2 500 jobless fishermen.
Since its launch, GERP has faced multiple setbacks, including unpaid salaries and companies failing to honour agreements.
Seven months ago, the Okapare fishermen voiced their frustration, accusing the government of failing to meet its commitments.
They described the wages under the programme as “slave salaries” that could not cover basic living costs. The group also accused the fisheries and labour ministries of neglecting their promises.
A week ago, the office of the auditor general was called in to investigate allegations of fraud involving companies that received quotas under GERP.
The companies are accused of falsely reporting to the government that fishermen were employed, while many remained at Kuisebmond Stadium in protest. Employers allegedly withheld the truth to keep receiving fishing quotas.
In a letter dated 15 September, Immanuel wrote to fisheries minister Inge Zaamwani requesting a probe into the matter.
He warned that paying salaries without services rendered could amount to fraud or corruption. These claims are now under review by the auditor general.
The upcoming meeting is expected to focus on the failures within GERP and find ways to secure stable employment and fair treatment for the fishermen after nearly a decade of struggle.
