‘I have nothing left to lose’

Former employees of Air Namibia, the now-defunct national airline, are demanding swift action from the Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority (Namfisa) to finalise paperwork and instruct liquidators to pay their severance packages.

Frustrated by the lack of communication and progress regarding their outstanding funds, the approximately 600 employees yesterday said they are prepared to block access to Namfisa’s offices if they don’t get access to their funds.

The group convened for a meeting where media representatives were requested to leave, as no senior official from Namfisa was present to address the media officially.

The Namibian has, in the meantime, sent a formal query to Namfisa regarding the group’s concerns. Namfisa said they would respond in due time.

“We told the Namfisa officials inside that they have until Friday to give us our money, or we are going to block entry to their offices.

“If they intend to use law enforcement against me, I am prepared to go to prison. I have nothing more to lose,” one of the former Air Namibia employees, Willem Christiaan, said.

In August Namfisa released statistics pertaining to Air Namibia’s retirement fund, with the preliminary liquidation and distribution account showing a total of N$28 million designated for disbursement to former employees.

However, discontent has arisen among these former employees due to a portion of the retirement funds being tied up in an unlisted investment that will only become accessible in 2025.

These individuals, abruptly laid off in 2021 due to the liquidation of Air Namibia, feel let down by the government and its institutions.

Christiaan said since Air Namibia’s liquidation, the government has provided excuses at every turn, urging their patience.

“We don’t have the luxury to be patient. We have bills to pay, we have children who have to eat. Patience will not put food on the table, nor does it pay bills,” Christiaan said.

The former employees have been pursuing their severance packages since 2021, submitting multiple petitions to Air Namibia and even presenting a petition to the parliament in June.

However, there has been no response or update from the parliament on the matter.

Another employee, Renier Bougard, yesterday said being retrenched has taken a significant toll on the former employees’ lives.

He said due to the already high unemployment rate in the country and some of their skills not being in demand, the group continues to face the burden of major debts, including car, mortgage and loan repayments.

Bougard said being a 50-year old man has left him struggling to find employment for the past three years.

“I can’t even find a job at a call centre. It has not been easy for me or my colleagues here,” he said.

Bougard said the institutions, processes and systems established have made it difficult for them to settle the issue once and for all.

“We are facing the brunt because Namfisa is not taking any responsibility,” he said.

Liquidators Bruni and McLaren are tasked with the disposal of the assets of the defunct airline, while Namibian commercial law firm Cronjé Inc is in charge of the retirement fund’s winding up.

With more than N$28 million allocated to the retirement fund distribution account, approximately N$3,2 million has been earmarked for liabilities and administrative fees.