The Government wants to strengthen labour inspections on a permanent basis, following an extraordinary two-week campaign which, in partnership with the International Labour Organization (ILO), identified irregularities in the construction sector, the Mozambican News Agency reported.
The Secretary of State for Labour, Gender and Social Action, Abdul Razak, presented the findings this Thursday (11) during the closing ceremony of the Communication and Promotion Campaign for Decent Work in Construction, held in Maputo.
The official stated that “the inspections revealed the absence of written employment contracts, lack of personal protective equipment, and excessive working hours,” adding that these results require continuous intervention.
Razak reiterated that compliance with labour legislation is mandatory and urged labour inspectors to act with technical rigour, stressing that many workers remain exposed to conditions that compromise their safety and family stability.
Addressing employers, he recalled that “formalising employment relationships, contributing to Social Security, and respecting workers’ rights are legal requirements and essential elements for business stability.”
The Secretary of State also explained that the General Labour Inspectorate has an educational role and that inspections are not limited to applying sanctions. Abdul Razak thanked the ILO for its technical and financial support and called for institutional cooperation to improve the functioning of the labour market.
Meanwhile, the ILO representative, Lia Richard, stated that the construction sector continues to face high levels of informality, the absence of formal contracts, lack of safety equipment, and weak social security coverage. She also noted that 79% of workers in the sector are under 35, highlighting the importance of youth and the promotion of women’s participation.
