“My youth ended here. After working so hard, we were cast aside as if we were nothing”, laments André Chissico.
By Noémia Mendes
Maputo (MOZTIMES) – Every Tuesday morning, the entrance to the British High Commission in Maputo is occupied by around 100 former employees demanding the payment of severance packages, allowances, overtime, and social security contributions. This persistent protest, which began in March 2024, is the latest expression of a struggle that has lasted 20 years.
The protesters, who gather at dawn in front of the High Commission building, symbolise remarkable resilience. “We have no choice. We are here every day because we believe our constant presence might finally bring us justice,” explains Miguel Nhatave, the group’s coordinator.
The conflict began in 2004 when the British High Commission terminated the contracts of its security staff, transferring them to Wackenhut Mozambique (now G4S). However, the workers claim they continued providing services to the High Commission, albeit under a different uniform and with no contractual guarantees or labour rights.
“In practice, we were still working for the High Commission. They just changed the name and the uniform, but our rights vanished,” says Nhatave.
In 2005, the former employees filed a lawsuit demanding their rightful payments. Despite two favourable rulings from a Maputo court (in 2005 and 2009), the British High Commission appealed and, according to the protesters, used legal strategies to delay the case.
“They promised to pay the workers one million dollars, but it was an empty promise. To this day, nothing has been done,” denounces António Relógio, who has been involved in the process since the beginning.
In 2017, the court once again ordered payment, but the former employees claim that, to date, the decision remains unenforced.
Struggles Beyond the Protests
The protesters stress that their fight goes beyond the morning demonstrations outside the High Commission. Many face extreme hardships in their personal lives. Some have died without seeing justice served, while others grapple with health problems and poverty.
“The government doesn’t help us. We’ve been abandoned. We worked for decades and are now treated as if we have no worth,” laments Relógio.
André Chissico, who spent 28 years providing security at the ambassador’s residence, emphasises the personal toll: “My youth was sacrificed here. It’s incredibly painful to be discarded after so much effort.”
The High Commission’s Position
When approached for comment, Leocádia Valói, the High Commission’s communications officer, stated that the case remains before the courts and so could not be commented on at this time.
The protesters maintain that they will continue demonstrating until their rights are upheld. “We are here every day because we know that if we give up, we will lose everything,” concludes Nhatave.
With over one million dollars at stake, this case represents not only a judicial battle but also a symbol of perseverance in an unequal fight for justice and dignity. (NM)
