From Bernama 

Mozambique’s largest trade union federation, the OTM (Organisation of Mozambican Workers), has warned that the increases in the statutory minimum wages approved by the government earlier this week do not meet workers’ needs.

The wage increases varied from 3.15 per cent to just over 20 per cent, depending on area of activity. The largest percentage increase went to agricultural workers but even so, their new minimum wage of 2,857 meticais (about US$93) a month remains the lowest in the country.

The unions’ concern about the inadequacy of the minimum wage was expressed here Thursday by the OTM Executive Secretary for Maputo City and Province, Ana Timana, during the commemorations of International Workers’ Day.

The OTM held its celebrations under the slogan “We demand the exercise of trade union rights in the public administration”.

Although the right to join unions has been in the Mozambican Constitution since 1990, there has never been any legal framework for union activity among public servants.

A Bill establishing union rights in the public service passed its first reading in the country’s parliament, the Assembly of the Republic, on Wednesday, but will not become law until later in the year.

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