Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Maputo (Fides Service)- The occupation of the German embassy in Maputo by a group of forty people was “a demonstration out of exasperation over a situation of impasse which has dragged on for years ” according to local Fides sources in Maputo the capital of Mozambique. Police surrounded the compound helping the German ambassador and his personnel to leave the compound and began negotiations with the occupants. Six hours later the demonstrators agreed to leave the embassy peacefully.
The demonstrators were demanding back pay for thousands of Mozambicans who emigrated 20 years ago to work in what was then East Germany. “When Mozambique entered the Socialist orbit thousands of its men emigrated to East Germany to work in DDR factories” the local source told Fides. “While there, the workers received only part of their wages and the rest was sent to Mozambique to be deposited in government accounts. With the fall of the Berlin Wall the Mozambican immigrants were repatriated. It was not easy to reabsorb thousands of workers. The state, in financial difficulty, was unable to pay back the part of the wages it had administered while the workers were in Germany. Since then, almost every week former immigrant workers stage demonstrations claiming their back pay ”.
“These demonstrations staged by “Majermane” as they are called are quite peaceful. They march along the streets of the capital waving signs and flags, the Mozambican and German colours and also the American flag, which is curious ” the source told Fides.
Three weeks ago the demonstrators occupied Parliament. The president of the national assembly persuaded them to go home promising to intervene on their behalf with the Head of State. The latter then charged the Minister of Labour to start negotiations with the workers but the talks were unsuccessful.
The German Ambassador said his country has fulfilled all its obligations towards the immigrant workers. The total sum claimed by the demonstrators is about 10 million dollars. It is estimated that between 13,000 and 17,000 Mozambicans were employed in factories in East Germany while it was under Communist rule. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 15/7/2004 righe 34 parole 375)
