Striking fisheries observers claim their demands ‘swept under carpet’

TURBULENT labour relations continue to plague the fishing industry, with an ongoing strike by approximately 200 fisheries observers at Walvis Bay and Luederitz.

After receiving a petition containing the observers’ grievances and demands as well as claims of mismanagement, Fisheries Minister Abraham Iyambo last week ordered a meeting between the top management of the Fisheries Observer Agency (FOA), the Namibia Public Workers Union (Napwu) and the Permanent Secretary of Fisheries, who also serves as chairperson of the FOA board, Nangula Mbako. Labour commissioner Bro-Mathew Shinguadja chaired the meeting.The parties could not reach common ground by yesterday.According to a FOA shop steward, their demands have been “swept under the carpet”.He said the strike would continue as long as the agency’s management maintain their “hard-line stance” on salary increases.Negotiations between the parties resumed in Windhoek yesterday.The strikers’ demands include the implementation of a salary structure backdated to April 2005.They also insist on a 13th cheque and an increase of sea-going allowances.The employees want two board members representing the fishing industry, Adolf Burger and Sydney Martin, to be replaced, claiming that they are “overly influential on the chairperson’s decisions”.Minister Iyambo has ordered the FOA board to investigate accusations of mismanagement made in the petition.He said the situation was getting serious attention because the observers were critical to the fishing industry.Because fishing vessels are currently operating without the presence of observers, the strikers are accusing Iyambo of violating the Marine Resource Act, whose function is to protect and conserve marine resources.Depending on the size of the vessel, two observers normally accompany each fishing boat.Aside from monitoring the size and species of the catch, observers are also responsible for preventing pollution.According to a shop steward, only about ten observers are active on fishing vessels at the moment.These observers went out to sea before the strike started and are expected to join the protesters once they return.Mbako, Napwu representatives and shop stewards were tied up in their meeting in Windhoek yesterday and could not be reached for comment.Labour commissioner Bro-Mathew Shinguadja chaired the meeting.The parties could not reach common ground by yesterday.According to a FOA shop steward, their demands have been “swept under the carpet”.He said the strike would continue as long as the agency’s management maintain their “hard-line stance” on salary increases.Negotiations between the parties resumed in Windhoek yesterday.The strikers’ demands include the implementation of a salary structure backdated to April 2005.They also insist on a 13th cheque and an increase of sea-going allowances.The employees want two board members representing the fishing industry, Adolf Burger and Sydney Martin, to be replaced, claiming that they are “overly influential on the chairperson’s decisions”.Minister Iyambo has ordered the FOA board to investigate accusations of mismanagement made in the petition.He said the situation was getting serious attention because the observers were critical to the fishing industry.Because fishing vessels are currently operating without the presence of observers, the strikers are accusing Iyambo of violating the Marine Resource Act, whose function is to protect and conserve marine resources.Depending on the size of the vessel, two observers normally accompany each fishing boat.Aside from monitoring the size and species of the catch, observers are also responsible for preventing pollution.According to a shop steward, only about ten observers are active on fishing vessels at the moment.These observers went out to sea before the strike started and are expected to join the protesters once they return.Mbako, Napwu representatives and shop stewards were tied up in their meeting in Windhoek yesterday and could not be reached for comment.