A number of fishermen who gathered at the offices of the Northern Fishermen Cooperatives were not happy.
Natalie Novelo reporting…
“Members of the Northern Fisherman Cooperative were not in such a good mood today at the office located on North Front Street. According to them they had been there since eight in the morning to collect their liquidation payment, however things did not turn out they way they thought.
Fisherman #1
Every day we come and they tell us to come back, for our money. It is one thing over and over. We want to know what is the issue.”
Fisherman #2
I think we have to stand up for our rights and demand for the rights we have in the cooperative because there is no money.
Fisherman #3
We need somebody to help us. We need somebody big to step in this. We have been waiting from this morning. We need the higher ranks to put a foot in this.”
The fishermen say they travelled from very far places like Sarteneja and Mango Creek to get here today and there was a greater number in the morning but they had to leave because they had a long way to go back. Love News spoke with the Executive Secretary and Manger of the Cooperative, Robert Usher who assured the workers will receive their payment.
Robert Usher - Manager
“What we are trying to do is to lower the rate of interest that we borrow because things are difficult so we are trying to get interest rates at a lower rate. We have successfully negotiated a reduction in our interest rates both at the bank and other institutions and we hope that we will be able to move forward as the next season progresses. In regards to the current situation, fishermen can be assured that they will receive their liquidation payment.”
According to the Fishermen, if they don’t receive payment on Monday, they will seek further action.
LOVEFM
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