MAPUTO– Mozambique’s main trade union confederation, the OTM (Mozambican Workers’ Organisation), has warned that this year’s May Day celebrations will be overshadowed by the high cost of living and the low purchasing power of most Mozambican workers.
Addressing the launch of a week of activities, culminating in the traditional marches on May 1, International Workers’ Day, OTM General Secretary Alexandre Munguambe said here Tuesday that high prices of goods and basic services are responsible for worsening poverty among workers, most of whom are dependent on the minimum wage.
To make the situation more dramatic, the price of public transport has risen, and the quality of the transport services is extremely poor, he said.
Munguambe accused employers of opting for short-term contracts, even though the jobs concerned are permanent, as a way of avoiding their legal obligations. The practice made employment unstable and insecure.
Even with clear labour legislation, we are witnessing in some workplaces intimidation and harassment of trade union leaders and of the most active trade unionists,” he added. Employers used this strategy in order to silence trade union activities, so that they can better deceive and exploit the workers”.
Source: NAM NEWS NETWORK