MMB workers go on industrial action

MATHATISI SEBUSI

MASERU – The Lesotho Brewing and Allied Workers Union (LBAWU), has served the Maluti Mountain Brewery management with a notice of the intention to go on an industrial action next week Monday.The strike is a result of failed negotiations on salary increment between the workers and management, which were escalated to the Directorate of Dispute Prevention and Resolution (DDPR) where the issue is still unresolved.

“Consequently, our customer service delivery will be affected with anticipated delays. For the safety of our valued customers, call and collect will be closed till further notice. While all the depots will remain fully operational, please expect delayed services there too,” reads the statement issued by the brewery’s management. The MMB further confirmed that management is   committed to respecting the right of employees to strike further stating that strikes are supported by labour law provision to exercise dissatisfactions peacefully and.

MMB said while it respects employees that decided to go strike, it also respects the rights of employees who choose to work while the company is still working tirelessly to ensure an amicable resolution to the issue.The workers’ plans to strike was announced last week, following failure by the company’s management to address their grievances over salary increases. Management and the LBAWU, said they had reached a deadlock within their wage negotiations and the workers had decided to down tools.

Management stated that even though they were positive that the strike will take place, they had not yet received a formal communication from LBAWU pertaining to the date of the industrial action, and were yet to be officially informed of the workers’ intensions. In a statement released on November 10, they indicated that should the strike proceed, they anticipate interruptions to their services including supply of products, due to interruptions with the brewery process and logistical constraint in delivery product to their valued customers.

They, therefore, advised customers to stock up, as soon as possible as there is anticipated shortage of stock across the country, assuring opening of Tele-sales beginning November 11 and Saturday November 12.