The Union of Civil Servants in Mozambique (SINAFP), a PSI member union, has been leading negotiations and says the government's lack of engagement made strike action inevitable.

The workers' demands go beyond just compensation - they are calling for systematic changes in how public services are managed and funded. A key issue has been the government's refusal to establish proper channels for social dialogue, with major decisions affecting workers and services being announced through media conferences without any prior consultation with staff or their representatives.

This approach has particularly impacted the delivery of essential services to communities. Workers learned about the cancellation of their expected 13th month payment only after the new administration's inauguration ceremony, despite many having made financial plans based on this contractual obligation.

The situation has been further complicated by the government's ongoing refusal to register the Union of Civil Servants in Mozambique (SINAFP), despite international recommendations supporting the workers' right to organize. This has limited workers' ability to engage in constructive dialogue about improving public services.

The workers emphasized that their action is fundamentally connected to Mozambique's development goals and the quality of public services. Without proper investment in public sector workers and infrastructure, the country's progress toward Sustainable Development Goals is at risk.