The Namibian Food and Allied Workers Union (Nafau) has called for a sectoral minimum wage in the fishing industry, saying workers are earning low wages while companies make huge profits.
Nafau held a meeting on Sunday in Lüderitz with fishing workers from different companies to discuss the proposed minimum wage for the sector.
The union said the fishing industry is one of the most profitable sectors in Namibia, but workers who create this wealth continue to earn very low wages.
Nafau regional coordinator Simon Matheus said the situation is unfair and cannot continue.
“For a long time, workers in the fishing sector have demanded a fair and decent minimum basic wage. They are not asking for too much. They are asking for dignity,” he said.
He explained that workers are calling for two different minimum wage levels.
One minimum wage should apply to seagoing workers, who work in dangerous conditions, spend long hours at sea, and stay away from their families for long periods. The second minimum wage should apply to land based factory workers who work long shifts under physically demanding, exhausting conditions.
“These demands are reasonable and justified,” Matheus said.
He stressed that the call for a sectoral minimum wage is based on facts and official findings, not emotions.
According to him, studies by the ministry show a serious imbalance between the wealth generated by the fishing industry and what workers and the government receive in return.
“The industry generates massive wealth, but very little of that wealth goes back to workers. Workers remain poor while companies grow richer year after year. This shows deep inequality in the sector,” he said.
Matheus added that introducing a sectoral minimum wage will improve the lives of workers and their families. It will help workers meet basic needs such as food, housing, education, and health care. It will reduce exploitation and create a fairer and more balanced economy.
When workers are paid fairly, productivity improves, and social stability is strengthened.
“Nafau also recognises that a small number of companies may genuinely struggle to meet the new minimum wage requirements. For this reason, the Labour Act already provides a simple and fair solution. Any company that cannot afford to pay the minimum wage can apply directly to the minister for an exemption. This process ensures fairness, accountability, and transparency while protecting companies that are truly facing financial difficulties,” he said.
He further said, it is therefore worrying that some stakeholders may be opposing the idea that the government should oversee these exemptions for the proposed sectoral minimum wage for the fishing industry.
The resistance raises serious questions. For many years, during collective bargaining, some companies have refused to share financial information and profit figures. They consistently deny workers’ profit sharing while demanding flexibility and sacrifices from employees. This behaviour shows that profit is often prioritised over workers’ wellbeing.
Matheus said, Nafau’s position is clear and fair. If a company claims it cannot afford to pay the new proposed sectoral minimum wage for the fishing industry, it must satisfy the minister under the provisions of the act.
This process will expose companies that exploit workers solely to maximise profits.
Honest companies have nothing to fear from transparency and accountability.Nafau remains fully committed to defending Namibian workers. This initiative is logically necessary and long overdue. It is based on facts, fairness, and our proud history of worker advocacy.
He called on all stakeholders, government, employers and workers to support this process and work together to build a stronger fairer and more sustainable fishing industry for the benefit of all Namibians.
“Today, we are hearing the same excuses in the fishing industry. Some interest groups say the industry is not ready for a sectoral minimum wage. This is the same story we heard for many years when people said Namibia was not ready for free education. We must unite and stop fearing voices that block progressive change. We must collectively choose progress, the worker’s welfare and refuse to be the enemy of progress,” he said.
