Mozambican health professionals have criticised the government’s decision to pay only 40% of the 13th month’s salary and announced a 30-day strike beginning on Friday, 16 January, to press for full payment. Speaking at a press conference in Maputo, Anselmo Muchave, president of the Association of United and Solidarity Health Professionals of Mozambique (APSUSM), said the partial payment was unacceptable and fell short of workers’ legal entitlements. The government earlier approved the payment of 40% of the 13th salary for civil servants, state agents and pensioners in January and February, down from 50% paid last year.
Muchave said the strike, which will formally begin at 3:30 p.m. local time on Friday after the submission of a legal notice, is not only about wages but also a protest against what he described as a deepening structural crisis in the National Health System. APSUSM represents around 65,000 health professionals nationwide.
The association warned that the strike could be extended if the government does not reverse its decision or increase the payment percentage. APSUSM leaders cited poor working conditions, staff exhaustion, high occupational risks and chronic shortages of medicines, food and adequate hospitalisation facilities as longstanding challenges undermining the health sector.
The government’s decision followed a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, with the Secretary of State for the Treasury, Amílcar Tivane, saying the reduced payment was based on a review of macro-financial conditions. He acknowledged that the amount approved is lower than the 50% paid in February 2025, noting that lower-paid workers, including health professionals and teachers, would receive part of the 13th salary in January.