The company explores graphite in Balama, Cabo Delgado province, and says it is working with the strikers for the resumption of activities as soon as possible. In a statement issued on Saturday, signed by the Managing Director of Syrah Resources Ltd, Shaun Verner, the company assures that it is engaged in a constructive manner to resolve the outstanding issues.
Workers at Company Level Agreement, a subcontractor to Syrah Resources Ltd, came to a standstill on 20 September, demanding better wages, among other conditions. At the beginning of September, workers had also stopped work, but after negotiations, the strike ended and the workforce resumed activities.
In Ancuabe, workers also paralysed activities in the graphite company
Just over 100 workers of the company GK Ancuabe Graphite Mine, which exploits graphite in Ancuabe district in Cabo Delgado, have been on strike for a fortnight, demanding an increase in wages and means of transport, but the employer is ignoring the demand.
Sources told “Carta” that the workers of that subsidiary of the German company Graphite Kropfmuehl GmbH are asking for a wage increase to at least 15,000 meticais against the current nine thousand, to respond to the growing cost of living in the country.
The Commission for Mediation of Labour Conflicts tried unsuccessfully to bring the two parties together, allegedly due to the unwillingness of the management. According to sources, last Friday the workers also prevented the drivers, who were the only ones not joining the strike, from moving their vehicles from the company’s car park to other locations, even putting up barricades on the road.
Meanwhile, the Police of the Republic of Mozambique were called to intervene, and then removed the barricades on the road leading to the company.
An employee of the Human Resources sector, contacted by “Carta”, said she was not authorized to comment on the matter.
