WALVIS BAY – The fishermen, who resigned in August from the Cavema Joint Venture, say they are proud, hardworking men and do not wish to be turned into lazy beings, dependent on an allowance while they can render services to the country.
The 612 fishermen, dubbed Okapare fishermen, last week responded to a statement made on Tuesday by the fisheries minister, Derek Klazen, in parliament, following their mass resignation from Cavema.
The fishermen have been employed since last year by the joint venture, following a Cabinet directive to re-employ over 1 100 fishermen in the industry as government’s intervention after they lost their jobs due to an illegal strike in 2015.
Kuiseb Fishing Enterprises, Hadago Fishing, Cavema Fishing, Rainbow Fishing, Vernier Investment and Camoposatu Investment employed the fishermen through the joint venture.
However, they resigned on 22 August 2022, saying no employment was created since the Cabinet directive in 2020, and that they want to work for better salaries that can sustain their families.
The fishermen in a statement said they have been in continuous communication with Klazen and his executive director, Annely Haiphene, to highlight their plight and were not misled by anyone.
“Our plea is to be accorded direct employment in the fishing industry. Our fishing resource, which is allocated through the designated agreement, is able to expedite the required jobs and not sustain jobs which were already created before the said objective quota or sell off the quota for profit gain. We are proud, hard-working Namibian men and do not wish to be turned into lazy inactive beings, dependent on an allowance while we can render service to our country and earn a decent living,” the fishermen said.
They also accused the minister of contradicting himself as well as being the mouthpiece of Cavema.
According to them, the minister seems pleased they are getting an allowance instead of jobs as stipulated by the agreement.
“Is it a crime in Namibia to yearn for employment and better living conditions? Why are you infringing on our right to economic emancipation? How did you arrive at the conclusion that the companies willing to employ us are selling us dreams, yet you did not allow them an opportunity? We are well aware that the objective quota belongs to the government but [it] was issued to create employment for us. Hence, we refuse to become collateral damage of the industry” the fishermen stated. Klazen on Tuesday admitted not all of the fishermen are actively employed because the industry has no actual work for them.
He said those who could not be absorbed as active employees remained on the companies’ payroll and continued to receive a basic salary of N$4 000.
“Conversely, some found active placements and continue to render their services in the various fisheries sectors aboard vessels or on the factory floor. We aim to find active employment for the affected fishermen, including a further 212 employees, who lost their jobs as a result of the abandonment of the Icelandic fishing companies’ vessels, Saga and Geysir,” the minister explained.
– edeklerk@nepc.com.na