The fisheries ministry has referred the compensation claims of 252 former Samherji employees to the Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations while citing existing government redress efforts.
This follows calls by the former Namibian employees who lost their jobs when Icelandic fishing giant Samherji ceased operations in the country between 2019 and 2020 and are now seeking compensation for lost income and benefits.
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform spokesperson Romeo Muyunda says the affected workers had already been considered under the government redress programme and placed with other employers in the fishing sector.
The redress programme was introduced after the Fishrot fraud and money laundering scandal, with the aim of reintegrating affected workers into the fishing industry through alternative employment opportunities.
However, some former employees have argued that placement at other companies does not fully address the financial losses they have suffered following the closure of Samherji’s operations.
The ministry further indicated that it could not comment on whether proceeds from seized fishing assets or vessel sales would be used to compensate the affected workers.
“This matter is currently before the courts. As such, the ministry is not in a position to provide further comment at this stage,” Muyunda said.
On the issue of engagement with Samherji, the ministry said it remains open to dialogue, but emphasised that the matter falls under another portfolio.
“This issue can be dealt with more appropriately by the Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations,” Muyunda said.
The response comes at a time when labour-related concerns in the fishing sector remain under scrutiny, including disputes over retrenchments, salary delays and working conditions at several companies.
Gendev Fishing, where nearly 500 workers face possible retrenchment linked to quota allocations and operational challenges, last week confirmed delays in salary payments for March, citing operational constraints.
Unions, including the Trade Union Congress of Namibia, have raised concerns about working conditions, delayed wages and job security across the industry, and have warned of possible legal action against companies that fail to comply with labour laws.
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