Workers unions protest for higher pay

SEKHONYANA THEKO

MASERU – Trade unions today marched from the Pope’s grounds near Maseru Mall to Moshoeshoe 1 memorial park to protest at the rising cost of living and demanding a 20 percent increase for textile workers and 17 percent for other sectors across the board.

The unions comprised the National Clothing Textile and Allied Workers Union (NACTWU), the United Textile Employees (UNITE), the Independent Democratic Union of Lesotho (IDUL), Lentsoe la Sechaba Workers Union (LESWU) and the Lesotho Workers Association (LEWA).

They handed a petition to deputy prime minister Monyane Moleleki and minister of labour and employment Keketso Rants’o while chanting protest songs waving placards some of which were written “We demand our 20%”.

Workers are demanding a 20 percent increase for textile employees and 17 percent for other sectors as increment across the board for the year 2020/ 2021 fiscal year, as opposed to the five percent wages hike which minister of finance Dr Moeketsi Majoro awarded the ministry in the 2020/2021 fiscal year estimations.

On behalf of all workers’ associations Khethang Suthisi said as workers they are concerned that the government is not putting measures in place to protect the nation, especially textiles factory workers who work with Chinese against the pandemic coronavirus while other countries have measures in place to protect their nations.

Accepting the petition, deputy prime minister Monyane Moleleki told the workers he will take their grievances to the prime minister to address them.

“I respect and I am grateful for your presence here. I heard the grim news you spoke about and I will tell the prime minister about them. I therefore assure you that the prime minister shall be informed about them and you will get your feedback soon,” Moleleki added.