Nearly 400 fishermen will benefit from a newly signed agreement between Blue Chromis Fishing (Pty) Ltd and the Mining, Metal, Maritime, and Construction Union (MMMC), which aims to improve working conditions and strengthen labor relations.
Former fishermen Daniel Nailonga and Johny Nefungo, retrenched due to the Fishrot corruption scandal, shared how this crisis has severely impacted their lives.
They described feelings of division, poverty, loneliness, depression, homelessness, and high blood pressure.
Iyaloo Women's Investment Group is blaming the former striking fishermen for the company's reduced budget and cash flow.
About 200 former striking fishermen, known as Okapale fishermen, petitioned Iyaloo Women's Group in February, demanding jobs at sea and not in the factory.
Former fishermen of Arcticnam Fishing and NAMSOV, known as Group 73, held a peaceful demonstration this morning in Walvis Bay and submitted a petition to Alex Krov, Director of Shore Recruit, expressing their dissatisfaction with management’s treatment.
Fish stocks are declining, challenging the government's plan to employ former fishermen at sea.
Fisheries and Marine Resources Minister Derek Klazen says the Government Employment Redress Programme will be renegotiated to find a solution for fishermen to do active work on vessels.
Labour Minister Utoni Nujoma and Fisheries Minister Derek Klazen convened a closed-door meeting at Walvis Bay to answer fishermen's continuous concerns.
The leader of the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), McHenry Venaani, has called on President Nangolo Mbumba to look into the affairs of the fishing industry.
The Secretary General of the Mining, Metal, Maritime, and Construction Union, Joseph ||Garoeb, says that fishermen employed by Blue Sea Fishing Company on the Estai Vessel will receive training on personal finance skills and financial wellness to equip them to better manage their finances as their salaries increase.
Fishermen at Walvis Bay have established the October Seafarers United Land and Housing Federation, which will negotiate affordable land and housing for seafarers.
