Job cuts at Aussenkehr irrigation project

SIXTEEN people lost their jobs at the Orange River Irrigation Project (ORIP) at Aussenkehr this week when the Cool Fresh Namibia Management Group (CFNMG) did not renew their work contracts.

More job cuts are expected because the company intends to reduce its 77-strong workforce to 40, The Namibian has established. The Namibian Government awarded a one-year management contract in July to CFNMG, a company with its headquarters in Ridderkerk, The Netherlands, to manage the 700-hectare irrigation project on the banks of the Orange River on behalf of the Agriculture Ministry. The farm produces grapes and vegetables.In a letter to Agriculture Minister John Mutorwa dated October 16, the farmworkers said they feared losing their jobs and demanded that the management contract be given back to Capespan, which had managed the farm on an interim basis before the takeover.’The main reason why we want Capespan to take over is because it cares for its workers’ welfare,’ the letter stated.Capespan was roped in to manage the farm after the Agriculture Ministry had terminated a management contract with Grapesmart in June. In his response on October 21, Agriculture Permanent Secretary Andrew Ndishishi wrote that CFNMG cannot conclude long-term agreements with the workers.’Coolfresh and Government reached an understanding that in consideration of employment, current workers will get priority. Together the parties want to expand the area under irrigation, which might lead to an increase in the labour force,’ said Ndishishi. Ndishishi advised the workers to help the Agriculture Ministry and CFNMG to turn around the project to create more job opportunities and better working conditions. Ndishishi added that it is not the workers’ responsibility to tell Government to terminate the company’s management contract. ‘We do not want to be forced to close down the project completely and to reopen only once all issues are resolved. This Ministry admits that there are problems, but understands that solving these issues is a process and cannot be fixed instantly,’ Ndishishi said. Efforts to get comment from the company management yesterday proved futile. luqman@namibian.com.na