Four fishing companies at Walvis Bay have taken legal action against workers, who allegedly, unlawfully left their jobs in August.

More than 600 workers, under the Namibia Fishing Industries and Fishermen Workers Union, supposedly resigned and left without giving the company the stipulated one-month notice, as per the terms of their employment agreement.

Hadago, Kuiseb Fishing Enterprises, Cavema and Camoposatu Investment are all represented by attorney Richard Metcalfe.

Responding to a workers' petition, where the companies stand accused of breaching their recognition agreement with the union, Metcalfe indicated that the workers were the guilty party.

It is alleged that two of the leaders of the workers' group terminated the employment of about 600 people without notice to the companies.

However, Metcalfe says some of those who resigned have indicated to the companies that their signatures were forged by the union's representatives.

The alleged fraud is being investigated while those who reportedly resigned will not be paid their salaries for August, nor severance or money owed for untaken leave days.

The companies further refuse to negotiate with the union, calling for evidence that it still represents the employees in question.

Lawyer Metcalfe says the unions' actions are incompetent and any attempt to hold protests at the fishing companies' premises will be met with a restraining order from the high court.

Meanwhile, the union president, Daniel Imbili, held a press conference where he denied the company's accusations.

"There is no way that NFI will mislead the masses. NFI approached these workers to assist them and guide them on the right way; how to approach and how to engage with the government in terms of their grievances. It is disappointing that the company that has HR and directors fails to honour the labour laws. There were no stories of employees or fishermen losing jobs. No! It was only payment that was not done because they received the resignation from the affected fishermen, and it's their democratic right to express and say where they want to go for better benefits."

Imbili invited the ministers of Fisheries and Labour to discuss the issue with the union.