Job loss fears grip Walvis

FRUSTRATION over months of economic hardship in the fishing industry could reach boiling point today when more than 1 500 workers plan to stage a peaceful demonstration at Walvis Bay over planned retrenchments and restructuring by several companies.

One politician says that as many as 1 000 workers could lose their jobs. More than 600 Namibia Food and Allied Workers Union (Nafau) members decided at an emotionally-charged meeting on Tuesday night that it was time to make their voices heard.”We are facing a very serious situation as many of us will be without work by the end of the month.We have come to you, our members, tonight to ask you what we should do,” said Elia Jonker, Vice President of Nafau.Hafeni Ndemula, a Member of Parliament and Regional Councillor for Walvis Bay, said up to 1 000 workers in the fishing industry could lose their jobs.”This is very sad as it means a further 5 000 people would suffer,” said Ndemula, a founder member of Nafau.Reasons given by the companies for these drastic measures, as listed by Jonker in his speech, include the fluctuating exchange rate, non-productivity of workers, poor fish catches, financial constraints caused by a large permanent workforce and the inflexibility of workers.”We do not really understand the situation as nobody wants to tell the truth,” charged Jonker.He claimed the industry was moving back to the 1960s and 1970s when Namibian workers were abused.”The system of apartheid is returning.We are told to go, while white people are employed.During good times we are not told anything, but as soon as things turn for the worse management points fingers at us saying we are the problem”.Jonker blamed company managers for lacking vision and proper planning.”The MDs today have no knowledge of fish.We as workers have 20 years of knowledge and experience, but white people with no knowledge or education get appointed above us,” said Jonker.Calling Walvis Bay the economic powerhouse of the country, Ndemula assured the gathering in the Kuisebmond community hall that Government was aware of the situation and was addressing it.Dr Abraham Iyambo, Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, could not be reached for comment yesterday.He was quoted by Ndemula as saying on radio recently that the retrenchment of workers was not the only solution.Companies such as Hangana, Cadilu, Etale, Tunacor, Gendev and Benguella were said to be among those wanting to retrench some workers.But, Brian Isaacs, Human Resources Manager at Cadilu yesterday denied that his company planned to lay off employees.”We are busy with restructuring and have a meeting with Nafau on Saturday to discuss our plans,” he said.He told The Namibian that about 70 of the company’s 520 employees could become redundant through the restructuring, but was confident that they would be employed in other areas.”Our aim is not to retrench people,” said Isaacs.Silvanus Kathindi, Managing Director of Etale Fishing, said no retrenchments were on the cards at his company.”We have given alternative proposals to the union”.Kathindi did not want to expand on these, but note that a special study commissioned by his company detected a labour inefficiency of approximately 50 per cent.”Combined with the exchange rate, this means the company is not making money.We do not have a parent company or big brother to pull us through the difficult times”.The Ohlthaver and List company, Hangana, that is said to plan to retrench more than 200 workers, promised to issue a statement today.Nafau organisers said yesterday that the MDs of the different companies would be given five days to respond to the petition to be handed over today, otherwise a mass stayaway is planned.More than 600 Namibia Food and Allied Workers Union (Nafau) members decided at an emotionally-charged meeting on Tuesday night that it was time to make their voices heard. “We are facing a very serious situation as many of us will be without work by the end of the month. We have come to you, our members, tonight to ask you what we should do,” said Elia Jonker, Vice President of Nafau. Hafeni Ndemula, a Member of Parliament and Regional Councillor for Walvis Bay, said up to 1 000 workers in the fishing industry could lose their jobs. “This is very sad as it means a further 5 000 people would suffer,” said Ndemula, a founder member of Nafau. Reasons given by the companies for these drastic measures, as listed by Jonker in his speech, include the fluctuating exchange rate, non-productivity of workers, poor fish catches, financial constraints caused by a large permanent workforce and the inflexibility of workers. “We do not really understand the situation as nobody wants to tell the truth,” charged Jonker. He claimed the industry was moving back to the 1960s and 1970s when Namibian workers were abused. “The system of apartheid is returning. We are told to go, while white people are employed. During good times we are not told anything, but as soon as things turn for the worse management points fingers at us saying we are the problem”. Jonker blamed company managers for lacking vision and proper planning. “The MDs today have no knowledge of fish. We as workers have 20 years of knowledge and experience, but white people with no knowledge or education get appointed above us,” said Jonker. Calling Walvis Bay the economic powerhouse of the country, Ndemula assured the gathering in the Kuisebmond community hall that Government was aware of the situation and was addressing it. Dr Abraham Iyambo, Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, could not be reached for comment yesterday. He was quoted by Ndemula as saying on radio recently that the retrenchment of workers was not the only solution. Companies such as Hangana, Cadilu, Etale, Tunacor, Gendev and Benguella were said to be among those wanting to retrench some workers. But, Brian Isaacs, Human Resources Manager at Cadilu yesterday denied that his company planned to lay off employees. “We are busy with restructuring and have a meeting with Nafau on Saturday to discuss our plans,” he said. He told The Namibian that about 70 of the company’s 520 employees could become redundant through the restructuring, but was confident that they would be employed in other areas. “Our aim is not to retrench people,” said Isaacs. Silvanus Kathindi, Managing Director of Etale Fishing, said no retrenchments were on the cards at his company. “We have given alternative proposals to the union”. Kathindi did not want to expand on these, but note that a special study commissioned by his company detected a labour inefficiency of approximately 50 per cent. “Combined with the exchange rate, this means the company is not making money. We do not have a parent company or big brother to pull us through the difficult times”. The Ohlthaver and List company, Hangana, that is said to plan to retrench more than 200 workers, promised to issue a statement today. Nafau organisers said yesterday that the MDs of the different companies would be given five days to respond to the petition to be handed over today, otherwise a mass stayaway is planned.