Africa-Press – Lesotho. It took approximately two hours for armed police officers to completely get rid of chanting factory workers off the streets around Thetsane industrial area
on Friday morning, as factory workers across Maseru boycotted work. Friday was a day identified by the unions to embark on a march with the workers, to
submit their petition to the Prime Minister (PM) Dr. Moeketsi Majoro, having been permitted by the Police. However, there were restrictions that were based
on COVID-19 regulations. As a way to avoid crowds, the Police had suggested that less than 7 representatives should be present to submit the petition.
According to Independent Democratic Union of Lesotho (IDUL) Deputy Secretary General Rathakane Mei, another condition was that they should submit their petition online,
something which he dubbed ‘very rude’ towards them. What the workers want, he said is to submit the petition on their own and not be represented therefore
they opted not to take that permit but challenge it in court. This means that the workers will have to wait for a new march date pending the resolution by
the court. However, they put tools down on Friday and marched across the streets before they were dispersed by police. This they did on their own without the unions’ leadership.
Mei said they had a right to do this as they were showing disapproval of how police have handled their request. As to when they would get back to work he
said it is up to them (workers) to decide. Among many other concerns, the unions want the PM to get rid of the Minister of Labour and Employment Hon. Keketso Rantšo, citing that she has dismally failed the
workers previously and continues to. This they have referred to as a matter of urgency among all other concerns. They want minimum wage to be enhanced and
maternity leave terms for women working in the factories and private security reviewed to allow them fully paid six months maternity leave. Rantšo has since played down the unions’ accusations speaking in an exclusive
interview with Informative Newspaper. She went on to set the record straight that she has no intentions of evacuating the office. Rather suggested that the
Unions’ drivers should do self-check and realize that they haven’t been doing what they are supposed to do for the workers but have rather been pointing fingers at her, blaming even for their own failures. As a result, she said they are the ones who are supposed to step down.
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