Mozambique – Worker’s patience has limits, Unions warn

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Mozambique – Worker’s patience has limits, Unions warn

7:32 CAT | 23 Dec 2016

Mozambique’s main trade union federation, the OTM (Mozambican Workers’ Organisation), has warned that workers’ patience with the soaring cost of living has its limits, which the country’s politicians should not ignore.

An end of year press release issued by the office of OTM general secretary Alexandre Munguambe attacked the country’s politicians for plunging the country back into conflict.

“In 2016, the political class believed that political and military confrontation was the best strategy for the development of the country and so unleashed politico-military tension, which resulted in the economic paralysis of this country and its development projects”, the OTM accused. “The country and the Mozambicans were thus betrayed by this group, and plunged into a crisis, the consequences of which are today carried on the backs of the workers and their families”.

It noted that the 2016 budget had to be corrected downwards, and that the lack of confidence in the country by international donors and creditors led to the suspension of the financial support the country so greatly needs, while foreign direct investment shrank.

The current cost of living, the OTM warned, “should not be ignored or perpetuated for much longer by those in political power and their economic managers. So we are warning of the dangers of this situation, and we recall that patience always has its limits”.

Although the OTM had words of praise for the leadership shown by the Labour Ministry in consolidating the tripartite dialogue between unions, employers and the government, it condemned the government’s recent decision to freeze “non-permanent bonuses” for public sector workers.

“In practice, this freeze means not paying overtime, and not paying shift allowances for teachers and health workers”, said the release. “This shows gross violation by the State itself of the General statute of State Functionaries and Agents”. (This is the legally binding document that sets out the rights and duties of state employees).

“We are also concerned at the slowness, excessive red tape and blockages in the registration and legal recognition of trade unions in the public administration and in private security companies”, added the OTM. “It is not by blocking and delaying that problems are solved. We hope we have raised enough warnings for the authorities to correct the situation”.

Source: AIM