Fisheries Minister Inge Zaamwani has warned companies benefiting from the Government Employment Redress Programme to stop poaching workers from one another, saying the practice is destabilizing the industry and negatively affecting the workers.

She made the remarks during a tripartite meeting with fishing companies and employees under the redress programme at Walvis Bay.

"Some companies promise workers higher salaries, and as a result, they move from company to company. This affects the operators of the entity as well as the benefits of the employees," Zaamwani said. "During that period when they are moving from one to another and negotiations are ongoing, those employees do not receive their salaries. They are at home, as is the case with many of the employees that are here today."

She emphasized that the programme was meant to offer real employment to the affected fishermen, not for them to sit at home and receive minimal allowances.

"Employees have informed us that they actually do not want to sit at home and get paid for doing nothing—they want to work," said Zaamwani. "I appeal to our designated entities to please ensure that these able men and women under this programme are meaningfully employed."

The minister also urged trade unions not to include ineligible names in the programme, which was introduced in 2020 to help fishermen dismissed during the 2015 strike and former Namsov employees.

Zaamwani stressed the need for monitoring and accountability.

"Our technical people must see to it that every other month they go to the designated entities to confirm that, yes, you have taken 212 employees, and these employees are still on your payroll, receiving the agreed conditions of employment. We would like to reiterate the government's commitment to addressing the needs of the fishermen."

Justice and Labour Relations Minister Wise Immanuel echoed the call for unity and cooperation.

"We do not need to fear one another," he said. "We must get together in one room, under one roof, in one spirit, and be able to talk openly, honestly, and sincerely—with the greatest sincerity—on the challenges that are facing us and how we can put our hands together in resolving them."