Consultations by the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources to discuss the recruitment process for the 700 Okapale fishermen have started at Walvis Bay.

The consultations are being conducted with the successful bidder of horse mackerel and hike quota.

Earlier this year, the Ministries of Fisheries and Labour signed an agreement with several fishing companies to provide full-time employment to the Okapale fishermen.

The Okapale fishermen have been paid the N$4,000 monthly allowance while they have no active jobs.

The fishermen who lost their jobs after an illegal industrial strike in 2015 camped near Kuisebmond Stadium at Walvis Bay for about five years.