Amukwa hits back at VenaaniMatti Amukwa says hundreds of Namibians are now employed on fishing vessels abandoned by striking fishermen. Fisheries association refuses to budge Confederation of Namibian Fishing Associations (CNFA) chairperson Matti Amukwa quashed any hopes of striking fishermen returning to their jobs or being re-employed.Amukwa further expressed disappointment with remarks made with regards to this made by DTA president McHenry Venaani in Walvis Bay recently.
Venaani demanded that all striking fishermen be re-employed and suggested catch periods be extended in order for the industry to recuperate losses. He also issued a 30-day ultimatum to government that accompanied the demand for the issue of the striking fishermen to be addressed satisfactorily.
Amukwa said there were already hundreds of Namibians employed on vessels, which were deserted by former fishermen in November 2015 and pointed out that quotas were set scientifically after adequate research and studies.
“Increasing the amount of quota without scientific advice would be irresponsible and will inevitably lead to the depletion of the fishing resource,” Amukwa said this week.
“Creating employment is not a matter of illegal strikes and destabilisation, but rather the opposite. We need stability and a committed workforce to attract investors and to create more jobs.”
He also dismissed allegations made about foreign nationals stating that the number of such individuals employed were very limited and decreased over the years, with only those in highly skilled positions, which Namibians are not yet fully equipped to occupy, being retained. According to Amukwa, CNFA engaged government and recognised unions constructively on behalf of fishing companies with the aim to address complaints of seamen and to resolve the situation. Unfortunately, unrealistic demands by the strikers through the Metal, Mining, Maritime and Construction (MMMC) union made it impossible to reach any viable solution with them.
“A number of seamen have been employed for almost a year now by different fishing companies alongside those who did not embark on the illegal strike action and with those who returned to work once it became clear they were misguided by MMMC.
The irresponsibility of the striking fishermen did not only affect their work, but also endangered the livelihood of thousands of Namibians employed in land based factories.”
OTIS FINCK