Africa-Press – Namibia. THE Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources is seeking proposals from fishing operators to provide over 600 fishermen at Walvis Bay with full-time employment.
The employment of these fishermen has been approved by the Cabinet.
Securing employment for the fishermen is part of the governmental employment redress programme aimed at securing full-time permanent employment and decent wages for the affected fishermen.
The request for proposal comes two weeks after the companies which have been in charge of the programme since 2020 revealed they could not create jobs at sea.
The employment redressing quota is currently with Camoposatu Investment/Vernier Investment/Cavema Fishing joint venture for horse mackerel, and the Hodago Fishing joint venture and Kuiseb Fishing enterprises for hake.
The involved fishermen have been receiving N$4 000 a month from these companies while not working.
They have of late been demanding active employment.
Ministry spokesperson Uaripi Katjiukua says the agreements with the companies regarding horse mackerel will end with the season on 31 December.
She says new agreements will be entered into with successful companies after the bid.
“The ministry has set aside a sufficient quota for both hake and horse mackerel, but is not at liberty to disclose the quantum, because the ministry is asking the industry for proposals on quantum and employment opportunities,” she says.
“The ministry reiterates its commitment to continuously engage and negotiate decent working conditions and employment terms for fishermen within the industry through this open bid,” Katjiukua says.
The requirement to be awarded the quota included that the fishing company is a rights holder an incorporated joint venture for the applicable fish species.
The companies must also provide proof of ownership of their factory or vessel, or of any arrangement to ensure uninterrupted accessibility.
Such companies must also provide job descriptions, remuneration and benefits that will be offered to the fishermen, as well as the number of tonnes of fish required per person and according to the fish species.
“ . . . and provide any other information such as contingency plans for the successful participation in this exercise,” the bid document says.
The submission of proposals closes on 9 December at 15:00.
The employment of these fishermen has been approved by the Cabinet.
Securing employment for the fishermen is part of the governmental employment redress programme aimed at securing full-time permanent employment and decent wages for the affected fishermen.
The request for proposal comes two weeks after the companies which have been in charge of the programme since 2020 revealed they could not create jobs at sea.
The employment redressing quota is currently with Camoposatu Investment/Vernier Investment/Cavema Fishing joint venture for horse mackerel, and the Hodago Fishing joint venture and Kuiseb Fishing enterprises for hake.
The involved fishermen have been receiving N$4 000 a month from these companies while not working.
They have of late been demanding active employment.
Ministry spokesperson Uaripi Katjiukua says the agreements with the companies regarding horse mackerel will end with the season on 31 December.
She says new agreements will be entered into with successful companies after the bid.
“The ministry has set aside a sufficient quota for both hake and horse mackerel, but is not at liberty to disclose the quantum, because the ministry is asking the industry for proposals on quantum and employment opportunities,” she says.
“The ministry reiterates its commitment to continuously engage and negotiate decent working conditions and employment terms for fishermen within the industry through this open bid,” Katjiukua says.
The requirement to be awarded the quota included that the fishing company is a rights holder an incorporated joint venture for the applicable fish species.
The companies must also provide proof of ownership of their factory or vessel, or of any arrangement to ensure uninterrupted accessibility.
Such companies must also provide job descriptions, remuneration and benefits that will be offered to the fishermen, as well as the number of tonnes of fish required per person and according to the fish species.
“ . . . and provide any other information such as contingency plans for the successful participation in this exercise,” the bid document says.
The submission of proposals closes on 9 December at 15:00.
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