I would like to inform the public that Meatco as a Namibian corporate citizen, has also been affected by the current economic headwinds. As such, Meatco embarked on implementing a turnaround strategy to improve effectiveness and efficiency in its operations. One of the measures focused on realigning its structure and employees compliment with a view to reduce operational costs without incurring job losses. As a result, Meatco employees were afforded an option of applying for voluntary early retirement which has, so far, affected more than 650 employees.
During the process of re-alignment, the Namibia Food and Allied Workers Union (NAFAU) expressed its desire to be involved in the process of voluntary early retirement with a view to safeguard the interests of the employees and hence requested for the audience with me in my capacity as Minister of Agriculture, Water and Forestry to avert job losses.
On 26 July 2018, Meatco together with NAFAU representatives met and briefed me on the Meatco turnaround and realignment strategy. The turnaround strategy is aimed at improving the sustainability of the Namibian meat industry in general and Meatco in particular.
I then tasked the parties to explore all alternatives to avert possible job losses. To this end, the parties had a meeting on Wednesday, 8 August 2018 and agreed on various resolutions. The parties briefed me yesterday, 9 August 2018 on their agreed resolutions.
In view of the above, Meatco and NAFAU, under my leadership, developed initiatives that ensure no job losses and sustainability of the Public Enterprise.
Meatco is now in the position to implement a new streamlined organogram and operational model with no job losses and without incurring additional costs.
We believe that with the new strategy there will be improved efficiency and effectiveness in the operations of Meatco to the benefit of all stakeholders in the livestock industry.
On 11 July 2018, I also convened a meeting with the livestock sector and industry stakeholders to consult and obtain the various perspectives on challenges facing the sector and industry. The meeting agreed on the need for short term studies to assess the challenges facing the small stock subsector, the large stock sub-sector south of the Veterinary Cordon Fence (VCF) and the livestock sector north of the VCF. These studies will inform the Government on the appropriate interventions that will ensure the sustainable and mutually beneficial livestock sector and industry in the country.