Trade unions not budging

By Neo Kolane

The Alliance of Trade Unions is not happy that workers have not been given a wage increment for 2021-2022 which was due on April 1, 2021 due to negligence on the part of the ministry of labour and employment.

The Alliance is made up of the National Clothing Textile and Allied Workers (NACTWU), United Textile Employees, Lesotho Workers Association, Lentsoe La Sechaba Trade Union, Construction Mining and Quarry Trade Union and Lesotho Wholesale, Catering and Allied Workers Union.

Speaking at a press conference this morning, the secretary general of NACTWU, Samuel Mokhele said they demand a wage increment gazette for 2021-2022 to be issued immediately after the completion of public comments.

Mokhele said as the labour movement of this country representing the private sector, they are concerned about the failure to enforce minimum wages for the years; 2020-2021 and 2021-2022.

He added that the workers’ issues are the government’s responsibility – to create new sectors that are not covered by the minimum wage in protection of other vulnerable employees.

In an effort to persuade the government to respond positively to their concerns, the workers have resolved that to stage a procession to the Prime Minister and the minister of labour and employment on May 14.