The National Union of Workers in the Hotel Industry, Tourism and Related Sectors (SINTIHOTS) recently held a courtesy meeting with the management of Southern Sun Maputo Hotel, with the aim of strengthening institutional ties and reinforcing existing cooperation.

The trade union delegation was led by the Secretary-General, Luís Macuacua, accompanied by the Provincial Secretary for Maputo City and Province and INSS Administrator, Gonçalves Zita, as well as Inês Matavel and Moisés Mutacate, assistants responsible for training and trade union organisation. The meeting was also attended by the National Secretary for Trade Union Organisation, Albino Maruleco.

During his remarks, the SINTIHOTS Secretary-General highlighted the history of cooperation with the hotel group, recalling that Southern Sun hosted the regional Africa conference organised by the union in 2018. He also acknowledged the support provided by the hotel and its trade union committee during the pandemic, praising their professionalism and the quality of the current collective labour agreement, which is considered an international benchmark.

“The purpose of this visit is not to bring problems, but rather to strengthen the existing partnership and continue to recognise and value workers through social dialogue,” Macuacua stated, thanking the trade union committee and the hotel’s General Manager.

The Secretary of the Trade Union Committee, Mr Lisboa, expressed his satisfaction with the visit and thanked the union for reaching out.

In turn, the General Manager of Southern Sun Maputo Hotel, Mark Loxley, welcomed the delegation, outlined his career spanning more than 20 years with the group, and announced the expansion of the hotel chain through the construction of a new property in Bilene. He also highlighted that the hotel has a training centre dedicated to developing employees’ skills.

The Human Resources Director revealed that the hotel currently employs 218 workers, of whom only six are foreign nationals.

The meeting concluded with words of appreciation from the SINTIHOTS Secretary-General, who reaffirmed the importance of courtesy, hospitality, and professionalism as fundamental pillars of the hotel industry and the trade union movement.