Samherji ex-workers demand payouts after seven years

A group of 252 fired Samherji workers are back demanding real severance seven years after getting tossed aside with a laughable N$10,000 each.

Fishrot fallout still haunting workers

• Former Samherji employees fired in late 2019 and early 2020 want proper payouts.
• Metlaw Attorneys fired off a letter to CEO Baldvin Thorsteinsson on Monday.
• Lawyer Richard Metcalfe called the dismissals groundless and mercenary.
• Thorsteinsson hadn't responded by press time yesterday.

The insulting severance deal

• Each worker pocketed just N$10,000, roughly 530 euros.
• Years of service got zero consideration in those payments.
• Notice-pay requirements and proper severance rules were completely ignored.
• Vessels like Saga Seafood, Geysir, and Heinaste all left Namibia.

Life after getting dumped by Samherji

• Jason Nelenge says he had to sell off property and belongings.
• His family lost everything after the unexpected retrenchment.
• Workers got shoved into a government temp-placement programme.
• Quota-dependent fishing companies allegedly exploit their desperation.

Legal posture and next moves

• Workers distanced themselves from any foreign litigation against Samherji.
• Nobody authorized outside entities to sue on their behalf.
• March 16 is the deadline they set for a response.
• Agriculture and fisheries ministry officials also ducked comment requests.