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Okapal fishermen have written several petitions.
A large group of fishermen, previously employed by different fishing companies, are protesting against unfair treatment, unfair contract terminations and unfair taxation. The group, named after the Kwesibumond Stadium in Walvis Bay where they gathered, is known as the Okapale Fishermen and has written several petitions to voice their concerns.
The 43 employees recruited by Hangana Seafood claimed that they suffered unfair contract termination and unequal taxation. They said they started working on March 6, 2023, but only worked for four months. They said their contract ended on July 31, 2023, but they were called back to work for two months.
The group’s spokesman, Theofilus Shilimela, said some of them had been treated unfairly, with wage deductions and discrepancies in employment conditions. “We were sent home without pay while other temporary workers were still working,” he said.
The group’s petition outlines inconsistencies in income tax deductions, with members claiming they pay significantly more than their peers. “They deduct N900 to N1,300 from us while other casual workers only deduct N359 to N700,” the petition reads.
They asked Fisheries Minister Derek Klazen and Labour Minister Utoni Nujoma to intervene.
Temporary Positions
Another group of 290 Hangana Seafood employees expressed frustration with their working conditions. Despite an agreement to hire them permanently in 2021, many claimed they were assigned temporary positions that were inconsistent with the original agreement.
According to Shilimela, the agreement was for the group to temporarily work as fish processors for six months until the company obtained enough boats for them to go out to sea.
“Some employees work in the factory processing fish, while others work as cleaners,” he said.
In their petition, they requested that Hangana Seafood be excluded from the fishing quota.
Meanwhile, Rukatuka Fishing staff have voiced similar concerns, citing a lack of active jobs and under-representation in boat allocations.
Representative Henock Ndakevondja said the company was given quotas but none of the employees benefited from it. “We are pleading to become shareholders or set up a trust fund for the workers,” he said. He also lamented that the employees were not given any benefits such as medical assistance, pensions and transportation.
Being treated unfairly
In addition, a group of retired fishermen demanded equal treatment and fair compensation.
A representative of the group, Stefanus Kashifele, questioned why these fishermen were being treated unfairly in terms of fishing quotas.
“We want to understand why other fishermen can catch 28 to 39 tonnes each, but we catch less?”
The group is demanding back pay from July 1, 2023, he added.
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