Okapale Fishermen demand justice

A large group of fishermen - previously employed by various fishing companies - have protested unfair treatment, unfair contract terminations and unequal taxation, among other things. The group, known as the Okapale Fishermen after the Kuisebmond Stadium in Walvis Bay where they gather, have written several petitions addressing their concerns.A total of 43 employees recruited by Hangana Seafood claimed they were subjected to unfair contract terminations and unequal taxation. They said they started working on 6 March 2023, but were only employed for four months. Their contracts ended 31 July 2023, but they were called back to work for another two months, they said.According to group spokesperson Theofilus Shilimela, some of them are treated unfairly, with disparities in deductions and employment terms. “We are being sent home without a salary and the other casual employees still go to work," he said.The group&#039;s petition outlined inconsistencies in income tax deductions, with members claiming to be taxed significantly higher than their counterparts. “They deduct us N$900 to N$1 300, while other casual workers are only deducted between N$359 and N$700,” the petition read.They have demanded that fisheries and labour ministers Derek Klazen and Utoni Nujoma intervene.Temporary positionsAnother group of 290 Hangana Seafood employees expressed disappointment over the conditions of their employment. Despite an agreement in 2021 to recruit them on a permanent basis, many claimed they were assigned temporary roles that did not align with the initial agreement.According to Shilimela, the agreement was for the group to work as fish processors temporarily for a period of six months until the company secured enough vessels for them to work at sea. “Some employees found themselves working in the factory as fish processors and others as cleaners," he said.In their petition, they demanded that Hangana Seafood be excluded from receiving fishing quotas.Meanwhile, employees from Rukatuka Fishing raised similar concerns, citing a lack of active jobs and inadequate representation in vessel allocation.Representative Henock Ndakevondja said the company received quotas, but none of the employees benefited from said quotas. “We are pleading to be included as shareholders or to have a trust for the workers," he said. He further lamented that the employees do not get any benefits like medical aid, pension and transport.Treated unfairlyFurthermore, a group of retired fishermen demanded equal treatment and fair compensation.The group&#039;s representative Stefanus Kashifele questioned why these fishermen are treated unfairly in terms of fishing quotas.“We want to understand why other fishermen got 28 to 39 metric tonne per person while we got less?”He added that this group is demanding back pay from 1 July 2023.

Okapale Fishermen demand justice

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-03

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Okapale Fishermen demand justice

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-03

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