In its third week, the strike of UNIK Construction Engineering workers on Monday morning saw the striking workers being removed by heavily armed police and the army from the site. The workers went on strike on Monday April 17, 2023 following the order by the Directorate of Dispute Prevention and Resolution (DDPR) to embark on strike as the employer had failed to reach an agreement with the workers’ union. They are working on construction or upgrade of
Katse Village under Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA).

Since then the workers have been picketing outside the construction site without causing any commotion. Construction, Mining, Quarrying and Allied Workers Union (CMQ) Secretary General Mr. Robert Mokhahlane said they are surprised and shocked that the workers are being forced out of the construction site yet their strike is legal and they are not doing anything illegal. He indicated that during their meeting on Friday last week, which LHDA was an observer, the employer said that they could only set targets which the increment will be based on.

However, Mr. Mokhahlane said there are targets as workers know that there has to be production every day. Moreover, the strike was a result of the employer’s failure to negotiate with the workers on their proposed 15 percent increment. They have on numerous occasions sat with the employer regarding wages increment but the latter did not put anything on the table as they claimed that they have not made any profits from the contract.