Iyaloo Women Investment is calling on the government to release the outstanding 50 percent of fishing quotas allocated to the company under the Government Employment Redress Programme.

The company was granted 250 metric tonnes of hake to support employment creation.

So far, only half of that – 125 metric tonnes – has been released.

Company director Annastasia Helao says the delay is threatening their operations.

"Iyaloo has received 125 metric tonnes of this allocation and remains confident that the remaining 50 percent will be released by clause 4.1 of the designation agreement," she said. “We may face salary delays as of May 2025 if the quota is not released, as we cannot license our chartered vessel. This affects full-time employment and factory operations.”

The company continued to employ 30 full-time workers even after 230 fishermen resigned last year. These workers include men and women involved in factory operations and distribution of fish across the country.

Operations Superintendent Justus Hamwaamwa said, "We employ 30 people, females and males, that are busy with our factory as you can see now, and we also have some of the fishermen working on land, transporting our fish across the country. As we speak, we have 10 people already at sea with our technical partners."

Helao said Iyaloo has submitted several requests to the Ministry, but changes in government leadership have slowed the process.

"We did receive communication from the Ministry that they are reporting to the new minister. Unfortunately, with these ongoing changes, we are feeling the pinch," she said. "The vessel has to be licensed. To do that, quotas need to be allocated. Without them, the vessel can’t go to sea, the factory can’t run, and salaries can't be paid."

On Friday, the newly appointed ministers of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, Justice, and Labour Relations held closed-door meetings with companies participating in the redress programme.

The Ministry’s public relations office says an update to the media may be given on the outcome of those meetings.