Renthia Kaimbi
The Namibia Seamen and Allied Workers Union (NASAWU) has rejected Gendev Fishing Group’s latest salary offer, dismissing it as no genuine increment after the company issued a 24-hour ultimatum to workers to accept the proposal or forfeit it entirely.
In an internal memorandum dated 22 July 2026 and seen by the Windhoek Observer, the company announced a proposed increase to the basic guaranteed monthly salary, from N$3,850.95 to N$6 800 for 195 hours per month.
While management has framed this as a 120% increase reflecting a commitment to employee welfare, NASAWU has rejected the proposal, arguing that it does not represent a genuine increment but rather the standard rate for standard working hours.
The union’s position is that paying workers for the hours they actually work is not an increase, and they have refused to accept the company’s framing of the offer as a concession.
A detailed breakdown of the union’s initial demands, as outlined in documents obtained by the Windhoek Observer, reveals that NASAWU proposed a basic salary calculated at N$7,212.62 per month.
The union further demanded an additional N$200 once-off transport allowance in December, increasing it from N$950 to N$1 150.
On the annual bonus, the union pushed for a full 100% of monthly salary for all employees, and requested that strapping and cold allowances be paid at the same rate.
Additional demands included a N$5 per hour cleaning allowance, a cut-off card date change to the 15th of each month, transport provision for both day and night shifts, a N$1,000 long service award across the board, and the provision of personal protective equipment every January.
The company’s counteroffer, detailed in a board resolution dated 22 July, presented a scaled-back package. On basic salary, Gendev offered N$30 per hour for 195 hours, which falls short of the union’s N$6,262.62 per month, which excludes N$950 for housing.
A once-off annual transport allowance was offered at the current rate of N$950, despite the union demanding an N$200.
Regarding the annual bonus, the board acknowledged the company’s financial constraints, stating: “The company is not fully in a financial position as it has credits that need to be settled for service providers; hence the company is not willing to offer a full 100% but is in position to offer a 50%.”
On allowances, the company’s position was equally firm. The board resolution reads: “The Company has respectfully considered the Union’s demand in this matter; however, the company has been reviewing its current financial position and operational commitments for the past two years and months, of which it has not been in good books, hence the Company is unable to grant partial increase to these allowances.”
Instead, the company proposed that cold allowance remain unchanged while strapping allowance increases to N$5 per hour for the duration of the new wage agreement.
On the introduction of a cleaning allowance, Gendev was categorical, with the resolution stating: “The Company is unable to approve the introduction of a Cleaning Allowance, as cleaning duties form part of the normal responsibilities attached to certain positions and do not guarantee a separate allowance.”
The company agreed to provide PPE but “not every January, only when the operations starts.”
On transport, the board refused to reinstate day shift transport citing low utilisation and cost-ineffectiveness.
“The Company will therefore continue providing transport for the night shift only, where there is a greater need and regular use of the service.”
Regarding the long service award, the company offered only a 50% of N$1 000, thereby agreeing to pay N$500.
The company’s board resolution had stated that the offer would only be available until 08:30 on Thursday, with no back pay applicable, meaning the effective date will be from the month of signing only.
The gap, while seemingly narrow on the basic salary figure, reflected a broader breakdown in trust and a fundamental disagreement over what constitutes a fair wage increase, leaving workers caught between their union’s position and the company’s ultimatum.
Gendev’s management kept the offer open directly to individual employees, urging them to accept the proposal by the deadline.
The memorandum further warned that if the offer, that has since been rejected, was not accepted, it will be withdrawn, and employees will continue earning the current monthly salary of N$3,850.95.
The Windhoek Observer understands the offer placed workers in a difficult position, forcing them to decide between accepting a pay structure tied to nearly double the monthly hours or remaining on their existing contracts while their union continues to oppose the terms.
The company’s financial and operational difficulties, which have been the subject of public scrutiny and even a presidential directive for a forensic investigation, added another layer of complexity to the standoff.
The Windhoek Observer could not obtain comment from NASAWU at the time of publication, as numerous calls to its president Paulus Hango went unanswered.
