Shovelino jobs, no bread And without freedom

Afonso Almeida Brandão"

In this debate that the world is experiencing, the issues seem far removed from those that directly affect the problems of the majority of people. The dramas of more than half of the population are unemployment, low wages, problems in the provision of health services and the lack of vocational training, which enables workers to be better paid and the continuation of having students receiving classes sitting on mats, under the shade of trees, in the open air. Salaries are defined by the value of the worker, their preparation and qualifications, and not by their desire or the employers. We live in times when productivity and quality should be prioritized. The issues that occupy candidates for different positions, and not just that of President of the Republic, are focused on issues such as the reliability of the ballot boxes (which has never existed in Mozambique since 1975, with successive fraudulent elections by FRELIXO), the veracity of the accusations exchanged by political groups, the public or private funds spent in the search for the Voter's Vote. The Past is much discussed, nothing is done for the Present and no one wants to know about the Future. As was the recent case of the last Presidential Elections, held in Mozambique in October 2024. Freedom is a frequent topic, but in an empty, romantic and not real sense. A more prosperous and happy country really depends on Freedom. But the Freedom to leave home safely, without the risk of being mugged, robbed or the victim of a stray bullet fired by PRM Agents at the Population. The freedom that must be denied is to the criminals of the Death Squad or the UIR, whether they are those who practice violence on the streets or corruption in offices. These are always protected (as far as we know) by “human rights”, prescriptions, annulments or acquittals of the “Metralhas” of FRELIMO in Power. The other freedom that is required and needed to improve the lives of the people of each country is the freedom to undertake. How can we invest with taxes, absurd labor laws, bureaucracy and regulatory or union interventionism? Commerce, which in our opinion continues to be the largest employer in Mozambique, needs freedom to operate in accordance with the agreement between employers and employees, without union or bureaucratic intervention. Labor market supervision, as well as specialized justice, instead of stimulating and guaranteeing employment, subject to legal standards, interferes, frightens and inhibits employers. Just ask our Mozambican citizens, who receive investments and jobs generated in our country or in the countries that make up the PALOPs. Workers need well-paid employment, good opportunities and security, not rights without jobs or a lack of hope. There is still a lack of freedom to dispose of legitimately acquired assets and not have to explain the reason for withdrawing Five Hundred Thousand Meticais from one's account, a requirement that should be spared those who have declarations of assets and income available in bank records. This type of invasion should be limited to those who may be outside the limits of one's assets or activities, and not assume that everyone can be suspected of acts of corruption, tax evasion or trafficking. And this unfortunately does not happen in Mozambique, because distrust is always present... The freedom to build a fairer society, based on work, merit and the good use of technological instruments, requires a smaller state, focused on ensuring security, public health, equal rights and education. This, including through scholarships, since students at public universities have an average cost much higher than the tuition fees in the private sector. Frelimo's "chuxa"-Lismo has NEVER generated well-being anywhere in our country, since it has been in the "perch" of Mozambique's destiny since 1975... The objective of realistic politics today is no longer ideological whims, but rather to improve the quality of life and comfort, to make life less difficult for citizens and to provide greater access to happiness. Those who are unemployed, poorly paid, or waste hours on public transport or in the “ill-fated taxis” and wait in line at hospitals for an appointment cannot be happy. The priority should be railways, clean and cheap energy, quality and an entrepreneur-friendly environment. All countries that allowed society to undertake, limited fiscal greed, freed up work and guaranteed security and respect for what was agreed upon and for this very reason are among the fairest and freest. It doesn't hurt to observe what is happening in the CPLP countries and also in the rest of the African Continent, to see that the right thing is not there. If these regimes, which have so many (?) admirers and allies, were reasonable, the countries mentioned would not be where they are. That is: without Bread and without Freedom. Or are we wrong?!■

2025/12/3