By Neo Kolane
The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) this afternoon joined the United Textile Employees in a brief picketing at the Maseru border gate, in a show of solidarity with local striking workers.
The event was however cut short by members of the Lesotho Mounted Police Service who dispersed the picketers because the gathering was ‘illegal’.
Prior to today, Numsa had noted in a statement that the factory workers had been protesting against their working conditions but had been met with a violent response from the government of Lesotho.
Since May 14, at least two people have been killed while 12 others have been shot and wounded as heavily armed soldiers defused the protests.
In an interview with theReporter, NUMSA regional education officer for Freestate and Northern Cape, Mosia Mating, condemned the government of Lesotho for its “oppressive tactics against workers and union-bashing tendencies.
“We demand that workers be allowed to organize freely. We support the demands of workers, including the demand for a living wage.”
