THE Fishrot scandal-linked Icelandic fishing company, Samherji, has said companies linked to its operations in Namibia would honour their obligations towards all employees.
Björgólfur Johannsson, the interim chief executive officer of Samherji in Iceland, announced this on the company’s website yesterday. The announcement comes a week after the company’s Saga and Geysir vessels left Namibian waters hastily reportedly for dry-docking in Spain and fishing in Mauritania, respectively.
This move left about 200 fishermen in the dark, as the company failed to communicate its intentions to the employees. Last year, the company announced its intentions to leave Namibia.
“Before Samherji’s divestment in Namibia is finalised, its relevant subsidiaries will fulfil all obligations towards crew members, who have worked for these companies. Samherji will strive to provide employment for as many of those affected as possible,” explained Johannsson.
He further explained that priority would be given to crew members who worked on the Heinaste vessel. The vessel was released on Wednesday after it was impounded late last year by the Namibian authorities for fishing in restricted areas.
“Samherji is very pleased that a case concerning the vessel Heinaste and its captain was resolved in court on Wednesday. This triggers new opportunities and the Samherji group is dedicated for these opportunities to be realised in Namibia,” said Johannsson.
He added that the company is now working intensively at the redeployment of the Heinaste vessel in Namibian waters.
“The solution, at least temporarily, will involve chartering the Heinaste to local operators. The most important thing for the Samherji group is to find a balanced solution that benefits local workers,” he explained.
Johannsson promised that all further divestment of the company from Namibia would be done in close dialogue with relevant authorities and developments related to the group’s exit from Namibian would be announced publicly.
A meeting between the sea-going crew, the trade unions and Saga Seafood Namibia – the operating company for Samherji in Namibian – is scheduled for today.
The Walvis Bay urban and rural constituency councillors have also indicated that they would attend the meeting.
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