HUNDREDS of Mozambican workers began an indefinite strike over wages on Wednesday at the nation’s largest firm, the Mozal aluminium smelting plant, in defiance of a sacking threat, Radio Mozambique reported. Mozambican workers, who comprise 88% of the 1 000 workers at Mozal, are demanding increased hazard pay, shift bonuses, subsidies to cover house rents and children’s education. They also want their wages in US dollars rather than in meticais, the local currency, as a hedge against devaluation. Talks with management broke down on Monday. Mozal’s management said that the demands presented by the workers through the Engineering Workers Union (SINTIME) violated the collective bargaining agreement signed in December 1999, which is in force until the end of 2003. That agreement establishes annual negotiations over wages and working conditions, and as far the management is concerned negotiations for 2001 were concluded long ago, a management statement said. The latest round of wage talks began last year. After workers and management failed to reach an agreement, an arbitration panel settled the dispute with a 35% raise. That brought the minimum wage to the equivalent of $364. Mozal is the biggest company in Mozambique, representing a 1.3 billion dollar investment — the largest foreign investment since independence in 1975. This is the second strike at Mozal this year. The management has issued an ultimatum to the strikers to return to work immediately or face dismissal, the radio report said. – AFP