Maseru, Mar.10- Workers across different sectors have demanded a five percent salary increase for the 2026/27 financial year, citing the prevailing economic conditions and uncertainty surrounding the renewal of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which has only been extended for one year.
The workers are represented by several unions including the National Allied and Clothing Textile Workers Union (NACTWU), Economic Freedom Trade Union (EFTU), United Textile Employees (UNITE), Lentsoe la Sechaba, Independent Democratic Union of Lesotho (IDUL), Construction, Mining, Quarrying and Allied Workers Union (CMQ) and Lesotho Workers Association (LEWA).
The Agency has learned that employers have proposed a four percent salary increment across most sectors, while the security sector has been offered a 2.5 percent increase.
In an interview on Tuesday, the Secretary General of the Economic Freedom Trade Union, Mr. Ts’epang Makakole, said workers’ representatives have proposed a five percent increase across all sectors.
He noted that the cost of food and utilities has risen compared to the previous year, making the five percent increment necessary, although he acknowledged that it may still not be sufficient.
Mr. Makakole said during a recent meeting with employers, the parties failed to reach a consensus and agreed to continue engagements. Negotiations are expected to resume next Tuesday, March 17.
Similarly, the Secretary General of the Independent Democratic Union of Lesotho, Mr. Rathakane ‘Mei, confirmed that discussions with employers are still ongoing.
Meanwhile, workers across all sectors received a five percent wage increase during the 2025/2026 financial year.
Ends/AT/BM
