Gendev workers unhappy with working conditions
Petition handover
The workers of Gendev Group on Monday highlighted a number of grievances and demands.
Gendev Group workers held a peaceful demonstration in Walvis Bay on Monday highlighting several grievances, such as alleged unpaid housing allowances, changes to their pension fund, and allegations that a single individual within the company holds three managerial positions.
Aina Nampweya, the workers’ representative, read the petition on behalf of the petitioners.
“Since December last year, we have not been able to work because the factory has been shut down for three months. As a result, many factory workers who process white fish are out of work and should be receiving a housing allowance of N$950,” she said.
She added that some employees have been working at Gendev for eight years yet remain on “no work, no pay” contracts.
“Workers who were processing and packaging white fish since last year received no income at all. We have not received any communication from management, and we do not know whether the factory will resume operations or not," the petition reads.
The workers also raised concerns about staff working with horse mackerel, alleging they were only compensated for 4.5 hours of work.
“This is not enough to cover our expenses,” the document notes, adding that “this is totally unacceptable, and we want management to come forward and explain what is really happening at Gendev Group (Pty) Ltd.”
Another key issue raised was their pension fund.
“Management and general workers have different pension funds. The general workers' pension fund is administered by Old Mutual, and for years, the company contributed only 2.5%. This was only increased to 7% in November 2024. Many workers will retire without enough savings because of the low contribution for all these years.”
Demands outlined
The workers demanded that their pension fund be transferred to Alexander Forbes.
“We cannot be forced to keep our pension fund with a company we are not happy with," the petition states.
In addition, the workers say that those who previously worked on white fish should be given the opportunity to work since they have not been employed at all this year. "There is no justification for the company to discriminate against these workers.”
They also claimed that despite following proper grievance procedures, none of their concerns have been addressed.
In addition, workers allege that the company has “promoted one person and gave him three managerial positions. It is unfair for one person to occupy more than two positions in the company.”
Aina Nampweya, the workers’ representative, read the petition on behalf of the petitioners.
“Since December last year, we have not been able to work because the factory has been shut down for three months. As a result, many factory workers who process white fish are out of work and should be receiving a housing allowance of N$950,” she said.
She added that some employees have been working at Gendev for eight years yet remain on “no work, no pay” contracts.
“Workers who were processing and packaging white fish since last year received no income at all. We have not received any communication from management, and we do not know whether the factory will resume operations or not," the petition reads.
The workers also raised concerns about staff working with horse mackerel, alleging they were only compensated for 4.5 hours of work.
“This is not enough to cover our expenses,” the document notes, adding that “this is totally unacceptable, and we want management to come forward and explain what is really happening at Gendev Group (Pty) Ltd.”
Another key issue raised was their pension fund.
“Management and general workers have different pension funds. The general workers' pension fund is administered by Old Mutual, and for years, the company contributed only 2.5%. This was only increased to 7% in November 2024. Many workers will retire without enough savings because of the low contribution for all these years.”
Demands outlined
The workers demanded that their pension fund be transferred to Alexander Forbes.
“We cannot be forced to keep our pension fund with a company we are not happy with," the petition states.
In addition, the workers say that those who previously worked on white fish should be given the opportunity to work since they have not been employed at all this year. "There is no justification for the company to discriminate against these workers.”
They also claimed that despite following proper grievance procedures, none of their concerns have been addressed.
In addition, workers allege that the company has “promoted one person and gave him three managerial positions. It is unfair for one person to occupy more than two positions in the company.”
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