The Polihali Bargaining Forum was officially launched yesterday at Polihali in Mokhotlong, at an occasion that also saw the signing of the organisation’s constitution.
The forum is a bargaining platform duly registered in terms of the Labour Act of 2024.
The signing of the constitution marks a significant step for contractors, trade unions and workers at the Lesotho Highlands Water Project Phase II.
The parties to the forum are the contractors and registered trade unions whose members are engaged or employed in the LHWP Phase II.
The launch was officiated by the minister of labour and employment, Tšeliso Mokhosi, who urged the two parties (contractors and workers) to be transparent when it comes to the forum.
Mokhosi said this will strengthen the relationship between the employees and employers for the betterment of the project.
“The two parties will know their rights and their responsibilities when it comes to the LHWP Phase II and the economy of the country,” he noted.
Mokhosi also mentioned that his ministry will continue to give the necessary support to ensure that the employers abide by the labour laws of the land, to ensure employees are safe during their work time.
The contractors included Kopano Ke Matla, Sun Joint Venture and WRES; and the unions included United Textile Workers, Construction, Mining, Quarrying and Allied Workers Union (CMQ), Independent Democratic Union of Lesotho and Lesotho Workers Association.
