102 employees at Elgin Brown and Hamer Namibia at Walvis Bay in Erongo region have been retrenched. Of these, 82 opted for voluntary retrenchment, while 20 were retrenched with no option. The process follows an agreement signed between the company and the Mining, Metal, Maritime and Construction Union, MMMC, at the harbour town in July. The company said the process was done in line with its stabilising plan and to adapt it to prevailing market conditions. Its Chief Executive Officer, Hannes Uys, told a media conference at Walvis Bay that the two parties had opted for retrenchment to maintain sustainability and viability. Uys explained that market conditions had negatively affected the business and there was an urgent need to address the situation. He thanked the union and the Shopsteward Committee for the positive spirit in which the retrenchment process was conducted. Uys said the remaining 364 permanent employees would continue their contribution to economic growth. Elgin Brown and Hamer provides ship repair services to international shipping clients and local industry with NamPort holding a 50% share.