Ensuring a decent working environment for fishermen

Namibia’s labour ministry, in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO), has launched the National Coordination Mechanism (NCM) for the fishing sector, focusing on decent work within the Namibian fisheries sector.The NCM will oversee compliance with international labour standards and facilitate stakeholder dialogue to enhance working conditions and operational efficiency.Labour minister Utoni Nujoma officially launched the project recently. He said the fisheries sector plays a crucial role in the country’s economy.“It provides employment and uplifts the livelihood of many of our citizens. It is, however, also a sector marred by challenges, including issues relating to decent work, occupational health and safety, forced labour, as well as violence and harassment on some vessels using Namibian ports.”Nujoma added that the status of employment relations in the fishing sector continues to pose challenges.“For this reason, the government has shown its commitment to addressing key issues that affect operations in the fishing sector. The constitution of the NCM is aimed at creating awareness, discussing issues that pave ways for improvement, promotion, and bringing about opportunities in the fisheries supply chain.”The forum will also present an opportunity for Namibian businesses to explore existing local and international markets and enhance business sustainability and diversification.Namibia, through the ministry of labour industrial and employment creation, in addition to its national labour legislation, ratified the ILO’s legal instruments that are pivotal to the fisheries sector’s operations. These include conventions No. 188 on Work in the Fishing Industry and No. 190 on the Elimination of Violence and Harassment in the World.“These legal instruments have become part of our laws, and most importantly, we must ensure that they are enforced immediately after ratification,” Nujoma emphasised.The ILO, in cooperation with the European Union through the Sustainable Supply Chains to Build Better (SSCBFB) project, assisted Namibia in addressing decent work challenges and opportunities in the fisheries supply chain in Namibia.These stakeholders constitute the National Tripartite Advisory Committee (NTAC), which was set up to spearhead and facilitate the implementation of the SSCBFB project.

Ensuring a decent working environment for fishermen

Kommentaar

Republikein 2025-03-18

Meld asseblief aan om kommentaar te lewer

Ensuring a decent working environment for fishermen

Kommentaar

Republikein 2025-03-18

Meld asseblief aan om kommentaar te lewer

MELD AAN

Advertensie