SECTION 2 Urges Labour Minister to Amend Wage Notice and End Maternity Discrimination

On Workers’ Day, local advocacy group SECTION 2 issued a passionate call to the Minister of Labour and Employment, Tšeliso Mokhosi, urging him to amend the Labour Act Wages (Minimum Wages) Notice, 2025, to ensure full compliance with the Labour Act of 2024 and uphold constitutional principles.

In a strongly worded statement released yesterday, the organisation pressed for urgent reforms to address long-standing injustices in Lesotho’s labour system, particularly around wage structures and maternity leave policies.

Call for Constitutional Alignment

SECTION 2 criticised the current minimum wage notice for falling short of the standards and protections enshrined in the Labour Act, 2024. The group called on Minister Mokhosi to review and revise the 2025 notice to better reflect the legal rights of workers and the economic realities they face.

“Our laws must not only exist on paper. They must be implemented in full, without dilution or delay,” the statement read. “The Minister has a constitutional and moral obligation to ensure that wage policies are just, transparent, and aligned with national legislation.”

End to Discriminatory Maternity Policies

One of the group’s key demands was the removal of discriminatory practices surrounding maternity leave. SECTION 2 decried sector-based disparities in paid maternity leave entitlements, calling them unconstitutional and unjust.

“Remove the unconstitutional limit on the number of times a woman can access maternity leave benefits,” the group stated. “All workers, regardless of sector, deserve equal treatment when it comes to reproductive rights and family care responsibilities.”

They also called on the Ministry to initiate an open and inclusive dialogue with trade unions, workers’ associations, and civil society organisations to create a truly representative and equitable labour framework.

A Message to Workers: Your Rights Are Not Negotiable

Turning its attention to workers across the country, SECTION 2 delivered a message of solidarity and resilience on the globally celebrated Workers’ Day.

“Your struggle is just. Your voice matters. Your rights are not negotiable,” the group declared. “We stand with you today — and every day — as we push for a labour system that values people over profits, justice over convenience, and constitutional supremacy over ministerial discretion.”

Their message resonated deeply with the sentiments shared by millions of workers around the world who yesterday marked Workers’ Day, a day that honours the sweat, struggle, and sacrifices of labourers and their essential role in society.

Growing Pressure for Reform

SECTION 2’s demands come at a time when pressure is mounting on the government to enact meaningful labour reforms that address systemic inequalities. Trade unions, human rights groups, and workers have increasingly voiced frustration over wage stagnation, inadequate protections, and perceived indifference from policymakers.

Labour experts say aligning wage notices with constitutional law and eliminating gender-based disparities in benefits like maternity leave are crucial first steps toward a fairer labour environment.

As the conversation around workers’ rights intensifies, all eyes will be on Minister Mokhosi and whether he will heed the call to action. SECTION 2’s message is clear: true labour justice is not just about wages — it’s about dignity, equality, and constitutional compliance.