The Namibian Ports Authority (Namport) is cutting operating costs in the port of Walvis Bay in the wake of “the recent slump in the commodity prices, strengthening of the US dollar against the local currency, and increasing interest rates,” said Namport chief executive officer Bisey Uirab.
He was responding to a complaint lodged against Namport by casual workers in the port with the Labour Commissioner’s office.
The casual workers want Namport to continue employing them despite a reduction in demand. Among the services that have been curtailed by Namport is the repacking of fish as most of the affected workers were involved in the repacking of fish.
“As part of the ongoing cost containment drive and following an in-depth cost-benefit analysis, it was considered untenable to continue rendering the fish handling service on behalf of the fishing companies,” said Uirab.
