Namibia launches a National Coordination Mechanism for decent work in the fisheries sector.
A coordination body to oversee compliance and the general welfare of the fisheries sector in Namibia was launched recently in Namibia. It will operate as the ‘National Coordination Mechanism (NCM)’.
11 April 2024
(ILO News, Windhoek) The National Coordination Mechanism, a coordination body that will oversee decent work in the fisheries sector, foster sectoral social dialogue among tripartite members and ensure compliance with the Work in Fishing Convention 2007 (No.188) and international labour standards, was launched in March by the Minister of Labour, Industrial Relations, and Employment Creation.
According to Article 7 of Convention No. 188, the Government shall establish mechanisms for coordination among relevant authorities for the fishing sector at the national and local levels, as appropriate, and define their functions and responsibilities, considering their complementarities and national conditions and practice.
The NCM was launched under the ILO-EC joint initiative titled “the Sustainable Supply Chains to Build Forward Better” project which aimed at promoting decent work in the Namibian fisheries supply chain. The project as part of its governance structure established the National Tripartite Advisory Committee (NTAC) which was set up to collectively guide the work of this project.
The NTAC evolved into an active forum for sectoral discussions and as a recognised legacy of the project. The tripartite members serving on the NTAC agreed to make it a permanent platform morphing into the National Coordination Mechanism on decent work in the fisheries sector for Namibia.
The establishment of the NCM represents a significant step towards promoting decent work and ensuring the well-being of workers in the fisheries sector, aligning with Namibia's commitment to international labour standards and sustainable development goals.
The launch was accompanied by an event entitled “Business Forum on advancing decent work in the Namibian fisheries supply chain”. The forum aimed at raising awareness among stakeholders about the decent work challenges and opportunities in the Namibian fisheries supply chain. It also sought to facilitate discussions on the potential impact of the European Union Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (EU CS3D) and the broader trend towards mandatory due diligence on decent work.
In his statement, Minister Utoni Nujoma underscored the pivotal role played by fisheries in providing employment opportunities and improving the livelihoods of numerous citizens. He decried the fact that despite its economic importance, the sector was beset by a range of challenges, which called for urgent attention and action.
Among the efforts to address the identified challenges, Namibia has become one of the first countries in Africa to ratify the Work in Fishing Convention, 2007 (No. 188) in 2019. This cemented the Government’s commitment towards addressing issues such as minimum age for work on a fishing vessel, medical standards, work agreements, occupational safety and health, and social security through ongoing labour law reforms.
The National Coordination Mechanism team comprising 18 members appointed through tripartite nominations will serve for five years and will provide recommendations to the Ministry of Labour as part of Namibia’s reporting obligations to the ILO under the Convention. It will additionally work towards enhancing the fisheries sector's operations and addressing emerging challenges effectively.
In attendance was the Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources Derek Klazen, Hafeni Ndemula, Deputy Minister of Labour, Industrial Relations, and Employment Creation; Goncalo Letao, the EU-delegation to Namibia Cooperation Attaché; Adolphus Chinomwe, the ILO Senior Programme Officer representing the Country Office Director for Zimbabwe and Namibia, Philile Masuku; and Christine Bader, the ILO Maritime Specialist of the Sectoral Policies Department in Geneva.
The event was also attended by senior government officials from the Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation, the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources and the Ministry of Works and Transport, workers' and employers’ representatives, and members of the media. In total 84 individuals participated in the launch and the business forum.
According to Article 7 of Convention No. 188, the Government shall establish mechanisms for coordination among relevant authorities for the fishing sector at the national and local levels, as appropriate, and define their functions and responsibilities, considering their complementarities and national conditions and practice.
The NCM was launched under the ILO-EC joint initiative titled “the Sustainable Supply Chains to Build Forward Better” project which aimed at promoting decent work in the Namibian fisheries supply chain. The project as part of its governance structure established the National Tripartite Advisory Committee (NTAC) which was set up to collectively guide the work of this project.
The NTAC evolved into an active forum for sectoral discussions and as a recognised legacy of the project. The tripartite members serving on the NTAC agreed to make it a permanent platform morphing into the National Coordination Mechanism on decent work in the fisheries sector for Namibia.
“Through robust collaboration and social dialogue, the ILO is confident that we can address the challenges faced by workers and employers alike, fostering a fairer, more resilient fisheries supply chain for a sustainable future of work for all in Namibia. – Philile Masuku - ILO.”
The establishment of the NCM represents a significant step towards promoting decent work and ensuring the well-being of workers in the fisheries sector, aligning with Namibia's commitment to international labour standards and sustainable development goals.
The launch was accompanied by an event entitled “Business Forum on advancing decent work in the Namibian fisheries supply chain”. The forum aimed at raising awareness among stakeholders about the decent work challenges and opportunities in the Namibian fisheries supply chain. It also sought to facilitate discussions on the potential impact of the European Union Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (EU CS3D) and the broader trend towards mandatory due diligence on decent work.
In his statement, Minister Utoni Nujoma underscored the pivotal role played by fisheries in providing employment opportunities and improving the livelihoods of numerous citizens. He decried the fact that despite its economic importance, the sector was beset by a range of challenges, which called for urgent attention and action.
Among the efforts to address the identified challenges, Namibia has become one of the first countries in Africa to ratify the Work in Fishing Convention, 2007 (No. 188) in 2019. This cemented the Government’s commitment towards addressing issues such as minimum age for work on a fishing vessel, medical standards, work agreements, occupational safety and health, and social security through ongoing labour law reforms.
“We are all aware that Decent Work is not just a moral imperative, it is also essential for sustainable development. When workers are treated fairly, paid a decent wage, and provided with safe working conditions and environment, they are more productive, and profitable and contribute more effectively to the economic growth. – Minister Utoni Nujoma - MLIREC.”
The National Coordination Mechanism team comprising 18 members appointed through tripartite nominations will serve for five years and will provide recommendations to the Ministry of Labour as part of Namibia’s reporting obligations to the ILO under the Convention. It will additionally work towards enhancing the fisheries sector's operations and addressing emerging challenges effectively.
“The NCM will perpetuate the achievements of the project and be as of now, the platform for discussing, and finding solutions or compromises to effectively address old and new challenges for decent work in the fishing sector; and (…) the NCM will ensure that labour, maritime and fisheries authorities and the social partners continuously communicate, cooperate and coordinate, in order to ensure a sector-specific, multidisciplinary one-government response. Christine Bader - ILO.”
In attendance was the Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources Derek Klazen, Hafeni Ndemula, Deputy Minister of Labour, Industrial Relations, and Employment Creation; Goncalo Letao, the EU-delegation to Namibia Cooperation Attaché; Adolphus Chinomwe, the ILO Senior Programme Officer representing the Country Office Director for Zimbabwe and Namibia, Philile Masuku; and Christine Bader, the ILO Maritime Specialist of the Sectoral Policies Department in Geneva.
The event was also attended by senior government officials from the Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation, the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources and the Ministry of Works and Transport, workers' and employers’ representatives, and members of the media. In total 84 individuals participated in the launch and the business forum.