Africa-Press – Angola. The chairman of the MPLA Parliamentary Group, Virgílio de Fontes Pereira, highlighted, this Thursday, the valences of the proposal for the new General Labor Law, which, he considered, fits the current economic and social context of the country.
On the legislative initiative of the Executive, the Diploma was approved by the Plenary of the National Assembly with 172 votes in favor (MPLA, UNITA, PRS/FNLA) and two votes against by the PHA.
According to the leader of the MPLA parliamentary group, Virgílio de Fontes Pereira, in the current political, economic, social and cultural context, “we need, objectively, to create a legal labor framework whose legislative options defend and guarantee the establishment of fair legal and labor relations , more stable and lasting”.
He stated that such an assumption should be made through the balanced regulation of the rights, duties and legitimate interests of workers and employers and that simultaneously promote and ensure the creation of a progressively dynamic labor market that is attractive to investments.
He noted that, in the process of implementing the new General Labor Law, an environment of open, frank, constructive and permanent dialogue and concertation will always be necessary, based on the national interest between the Executive and trade union organizations and other representatives of the working classes and employers.
Legacy for generations to come
Virgílio de Fontes Pereira emphasized that, despite the existing political divergences between parties, these should not be led to antagonism.
“Despite these divergences, we need to unite, join synergies to build the great Angolan homeland and leave a legacy of unity for future generations”, he pointed out.
With regard to the Bill of Law on Freedom of Assembly and Demonstration, a legislative initiative by UNITA, approved yesterday, in general terms, in Parliament, he expressed his availability for an open, constructive and responsible debate, “in defense of an increasingly effective realization of the rights , fundamental freedoms and guarantees of citizens”.
“Condescending with some irregularities detected, a priori, in this project, indicators of unconstitutionality, the MPLA proposes, during the specific discussion, to make its contribution in defense of the interests of citizens and of the State, as well as the protection of property public and private that are exposed to the exercise of the right of Assembly and Demonstration”, he stressed.
Virgílio de Fontes Pereira made it known that the MPLA will also promote the constitutional conformation and updates of the strike, union and state of exception laws.
Executive Achievements
In his political declaration, the leader of the MPLA Parliamentary Group highlighted the achievements of the Executive for welfare and social progress, such as the inauguration of the Malanje water supply system, the establishment of the Cafu canal, in Cunene province , the restoration of the Neves dam (Huíla) and the completion work on various centers and urban developments in the country.
He also highlighted the completion of the works for the hydroelectric use of Laúca, requalification and construction of road infrastructure, health, education, as well as the licensing campaign for taxis, mototaxis and artisanal fishing vessels, which will allow the approximately 100,000 mototaxis, 32,000 collective taxis and 3,000 small-scale fishing vessels can legally carry out their activities.
For the MPLA deputy, the said actions and achievements of the Executive cannot be ignored by anyone, “not even by those whose demagoguery and lies characterize their speeches in authentic exercises of political falsehood (…)”.
For its part, UNITA, in its political declaration, defends an agenda of consolidation of the rule of law, political, economic and cultural democracy, open society, free press, independent and credible judiciary and the reinforcement of the supervisory role of the National Assembly .
“Our agenda is participatory democracy, good governance, sustainable development in Angola, as well as the implementation of municipalities in all 164 municipalities in the country and simultaneously in 2024”, declared the leader of the UNITA Parliamentary Group, Liberty Chiaka .
The UNITA deputy, who harshly criticized the government’s actions, requested the setting up of Parliamentary Commissions of Inquiry (CPI) into the activities of the direct, indirect, independent administration and autonomous funds that manage public resources.
“It is urgent for the National Assembly to carry out a CPI on the public debt, on public procurement processes with a focus on direct adjudication (…)”, he maintained.
He reiterated, however, his party’s readiness for inclusive, open and honest dialogue.
He also appealed to the ruling party to govern with “republican ethics, human sensitivity, strategic vision and transparency, to create sustainability and prosperity”.
Meanwhile, deputy Nimi a Simbi, representing the joint PRS/FNLA parliamentary group, appealed to the Executive to resolve the problems affecting higher education teachers.
Deputy Bela Maquias, from the Humanist Party of Angola (PHA), justified the vote against the proposal for the new General Labor Law, due to the fact that the law in question does not safeguard menstrual leave for women.
The 7th Extraordinary Plenary Meeting of the 1st Legislative Session of the Fifth Legislature of the AN, was attended by the president of the Legislative Assembly of Sudan and acting president of the Parliamentary Forum of the International Conference of the Great Lakes Region (FP-CIRGL) , Jemma Nunu Kumba.
Within the framework of Africa Day, which is marked this Thursday (25), Jemma Nunu Kumba appealed to African leaders to put an end to armed conflicts, which delay the development and prosperity of African States and peoples.
He also expressed the need for true regional integration and the implementation, in fact, of an African free trade zone.
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