More than fifty entrepreneurs protested on Monday, June 30, at the international passenger terminal of Maputo International Airport against an alleged increase in fees for unloading goods, according to the Lusa news agency.
“The amount charged is too high and ends up not being worthwhile for the type of business we do, which is selling clothes. We’re left not knowing whether we should continue with our activity or not,” said Eduarda Fernandes, one of the entrepreneurs present at the protest, in statements to Lusa.
Videos sent to the agency show the group inside the airport, holding signs and calling for “help,” while also temporarily blocking passengers from exiting.
“At one point, we blocked the exit of passengers from Qatar Airways, which is the airline we use most. We only allowed the crew to pass because we wanted all the luggage, including passengers’ bags, to be held back,” explained one of the demonstrators.
The group of small-scale importers, who mainly source their goods from China, complain that in addition to the fee increases, luggage is now being transferred on arrival to the cargo terminal instead of the passenger terminal, as had been the standard practice until last week.
“Now we’re forced to go to the cargo terminal, where the goods often disappear. Then we also have to pay a customs broker. It’s a bureaucracy that delays our work and affects our delivery times to clients,” criticized Eduarda Fernandes.
According to the protesters, the cost per bag of merchandise previously reached up to 8,000 meticais (around 125 USD), but in the past week has doubled to at least 15,000 meticais (about 235 USD).
“We will not pay this fee. We are small entrepreneurs and we should be protected so we can grow,” stated Zebito, another member of the group.
“Why are they taking food off our children’s table? Why are they taking our bread? Do they want us on the streets?” asked another protester, already outside the terminal, in the airport’s parking lot.
The group left the passenger terminal about an hour after the protest began, allegedly to hold talks with airport authorities. According to Eduarda Fernandes, negotiations are expected to conclude on Tuesday (July 1).
“We’re not done yet. As long as there’s no clear response from them, we can’t stop,” she concluded.
Source: DE
