Maputo Municipality workers stop activities, stage protest outside City Hall – Watch

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Maputo Municipality workers stop activities, stage protest outside City Hall – Watch

3:27 CAT | 23 Dec 2022

Photo: O País

More than 100 state employees, some of whom work in the health sector of Maputo municipality, went on strike this Thursday over salary arrears, alleged misattribution under the Single Salary Table and dissatisfaction with the announcement of the non-payment of the ‘thirteenth salary’.

Leaning against the trunks of the acacias In Independence Square, or sitting in cars or on the ground, you could hear songs and watch dancing, but it wasn’t joy, but the way found by men and women to express discontent.

Manuel Chigumane, a Municipality of Maputo employee, clarifies their claim. “The TSU problem is that we still haven’t been caught up since July; they are still paying us under the old table, and don’t even say when we will have it.”

António Mabjaia, a cleaner in the health sector, added the other reason for the protest is the cancellation of the 13th salary payment. “The budget was made last year,” he complains, “for them today to come and tell us that we don’t have 13th or TSU or anything. These are our major concerns. After all, where are we from? When there are problems, they say that we are state employees, but, today, when there are benefits, we are no longer state employees.”

The demonstrators abandoned their jobs, taking with them the tools they use in their daily tasks. They say they will only resume activities once their concerns are resolved.

“We are not working and [we will either resume working or not] according to the response we get. If it is negative, I prefer to say here that we are not going to work, we are going to close down all municipal services,” one of the employees warned, speaking on condition of anonymity.

After almost four hours of negotiations, workers representative Feliciano Lipanga appeared to explain what was discussed. “It was decided that a commission would be created to work with the municipality and follow up on the TSU issues and apply the necessary pressure so that there is flexibility in the availability of money,” he reported.

The Municipality of Maputo, in turn, said that, for now, it needed to conclude negotiations with its employees, and would only then comment publicly on the matter.

“What I am saying is that, when we finish the work we are doing with the commission, only them will we talk to the press,” municipal councillor Silva Magaia promised.

Watch the Miranmar report.