The Chief Executive Officer of the Marine Stewardship Council, Rupert Howes, says a lack of acknowledgement from employers is a global issue in terms of eroding job satisfaction.

Howes spoke to nbc News in an interview.

Howes says that the simple act of acknowledging achievement is a major boost for employees' morale and performance. And that's why employee recognition is critical.

He further says that when employees are rewarded for their contributions, they take ownership and pride, which in turn makes them more willing to work hard on their next project.

He says recognition fosters a sense of belonging among employees, improves performance, and enhances the likelihood that they'll stick around.

"Acknowledging progress is a positive thing and that motivates people, and I think that's the most important thing to me. This is all part of effective management in an organisation."

When workers are not valued, he adds, they become silent salary collectors rather than go out of their way in the line of duty.

Just a few weeks ago, hundreds of factory workers at the Tunacor Fishing Company in Walvis Bay protested against what they claimed was unfair management behaviour.

Among their demands was recognition for long-tenured employees.

"There are some of the workers that worked for the company for many years, and they are now retired or soon to be retired. However, the company stopped paying their severance fee. The company does not even give employees anything as an appreciation for the period in which they worked for the company."

According to Justina Jonas, General Secretary of the Metal and Allied Namibian Workers Union, appreciation is necessary at all times.

"If you are an employee at a company, you want to be valued for the work you do but also valued as an employee who has been working for a long time at the company. What we have noted in companies where there are long-serving employees is the issue of appreciation, and that is that workers feel that they are not appreciated."