MAPUTO – A total of thirty-four foreign workers have been suspended, by order of the General Inspectorate of Labor (IGT, in Portuguese) at SASOL facilities in Inhambane since they were found working illegally in the company, disrespecting the Mozambique policies for foreign labor employment.

The suspension took place as part of the National Mining and Civil Construction Inspection Campaign, which began on February 20 of this year. An IGT brigade made a working visit to Inhambane Province, Sasol Company, located in the Inhassoro District.

As an aftermath of this inspection, 34 foreign workers were detected in an illegal labor situation, 17 of whom were surprised at the company Sasol Petroleum Temane, Lda., All of South African nationality. From this number, six workers, despite having submitted hiring certificates did not meet conditions for the exercise of the activity since the company had already exhausted the quota to which it is legally entitled, hence they should have requested authorization from the Minister of Labor, Employment and Social Security. The other 11 workers did not submit any document authorizing them to work in Mozambique.

On the occasion, the employer indicated that from these 11 workers, 10 are working on a short-term basis and 1 on a service basis, but did not present any work permits that enable them to work in the country.

The remaining 17 workers have been found at Sasol facilities, also without any work permit, and all were suspended. In terms of nationalities, there were British, Iranian, Canadian, Brazilian, American and South African workers working illegally and consequently immediately suspended.