The Mozambique Workers’ Organisation – Trade Union Movement (OTM-CS) has revealed that more than 12,000 workers who lost their jobs during the violent post-election protests last year remain without compensation.
OTM-CS leader André Mandlate disclosed the figures during the union’s 49th anniversary celebration in Maputo, noting that some employers fled the country while others offered inadequate settlements. He urged trade unions to pursue fairer solutions for affected workers and criticised the current public wage structure, arguing that it fails to meet the cost of living, with the minimum household basket for a family of five costing nearly 43,000 meticais (€585). Mandlate further appealed to the government to recognise civil servants’ unions and ratify international conventions improving the welfare of domestic workers.
The unrest followed the disputed 9 October 2024 elections, in which opposition candidate Venâncio Mondlane rejected the victory of President Daniel Chapo. The post-election violence was the worst Mozambique had witnessed since 1994, leaving almost 400 people dead, over 500 businesses destroyed, and more than 121,000 people unemployed. Although Mondlane and Chapo met in March to pledge peace, tensions and public exchanges of accusations persist. Meanwhile, the government has announced minimum wage increases ranging from 2.9% to 9%, retroactive to 1 July, across eight economic sectors—measures that unions say still fall short of addressing workers’ economic hardships.