Government scrambles to avert key worker strikes

The public sector pay-scale mess is becoming one of the biggest crises of Nyusi's presidency

Welcome to Zitamar’s Daily Briefing for 3 November 2022. In a change to our usual format, the Leader article follows below this preview of what you’ll find…

…in today’s Daily Briefing:

✍️ The Zitamar View on the public sector pay scale mess

🚢 Our special report on the soybean shipment dispute that paralysed Nacala Port (£)

👮‍♀️ Jailed journalist denied food, accused of terrorism

⛑ Humanitarian workers have sexually abused IDPs in Cabo Delgado

👩‍⚕️ Government tries to avert doctor strike

💰 IMF hails economic recovery

---

Mozambique’s capital woke up yesterday to a group of finance ministry employees mutinying outside their headquarters, protesting against what they called the injustices of the new public sector salary scale, also known as the TSU. 

Their walkout was the culmination of a silent strike that has been going on for months in different institutions, in response to incoherences in the TSU which have led to, for example, unqualified workers being paid more than specialist professionals, purely by dint of their length of service.

Doctors, teachers, nurses, police officers, lawyers and other professionals say the TSU has worsened pay differences in public administration, while others say it has lowered their pay status. In general, as the think tank CIP points out, the TSU benefits those in managerial and senior positions, rather than ordinary civil servants — and widens pay inequalities.

The TSU was first approved by the Mozambican parliament last February. It was due to be implemented in July, but problems meant it had to be revised and its implementation postponed to October. Even then, the problems continue. Some have suggested that it will have to return to parliament again, to be approved for a third time.

The government has received letters of demands issued by different groups of professionals. Yesterday, Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi called for calm among doctors who have threatened to go on strike on 7 November, promising that the government is looking for solutions. 

Also yesterday, deputy finance minister Amilcar Tivane asked for 15 days to solve the problems, counting from the day the letters were delivered to the government. The work is being done by a multi-ministerial commission, which has been given a one-year mandate.

As with much policy-making, the Mozambican government failed to include different groups in the debate on the proposals, which means that the real and always necessary discussions only start once the policy has been approved.

---

Agenda:

• Today-Fri: Bank of Mozambique’s annual Consultative Council, this year taking place in Beira under the title Challenges and opportunities of the sugar industry in Mozambique: the case of Sofala province

---

The latest from Zitamar News:

Agri giant ETG fights injunction after judge grants rival’s request to freeze assets
Royal Plastics Group of Nampula blames foreign-owned ETG for alerting Indian authorities to suspect shipment being held in Mumbai

---

From the Zitamar Live Blog:

ETG assets unfrozen
Judge Mohamed Varinda has lifted the injunction that had impounded and frozen assets of ETG Group, in its dispute with Royal Plastics Group, according to a written decision dated 1 November and shown to Zitamar News this afternoon

---

💥 Conflict update:

1 October 2022: Minhanha, Meluco district, Cabo Delgado
Insurgents attacked a security forces camp in Minhanha, Meluco district, killing up to two people, according to an Islamic State post on social media, and stealing several weapons.

---

Also in the news:

• Displaced people suffered sexual abuse from NGO workers (Zumbo FM)

• Journalist Arlindo Chissale detained without food in Cabo Delgado (Integrity Magazine)

• Mozambican Government and doctors in talks to avert strike (AIM)

• Lawyer suspended for 10 years over ‘hidden debts’ testimony (Integrity Magazine)

• IMF welcomes Mozambique’s economic recovery (AIM)

• EU willing to support "all initiatives" to prevent arming of terrorists (Lusa)

• TMCel workers' salary delayed for two months (O País)

• Police in Manica seize 260 explosives in the possession of two men (VOA)

Today’s front pages in Maputo. Photo © Faizal Chauque / Zitamar News