16 June 2025 by Limpho Sello

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Village Health Workers (VHW) across Lesotho resumed work today, June 16, 2025, after their representative body urged them to return to serving thousands of patients, citing “positive developments” in salary negotiations with the government.

More than 8,300 VHW are represented by the Lesotho Workers’ Association (LEWA), which is leading ongoing talks with the government over the implementation of the M2,444 monthly wage ordered by the Labour Court in January 2023.

VHW, who currently earn only M800 per month, say they have been waiting for the government to honour the court ruling that formally recognised them as employees entitled to fair wages in January 2023.

Have you read this? https://www.uncensored.org.za/patients-left-stranded-as-village-health-workers-strike-over-unpaid-wages/

On June 9, 2025, Village Health Workers (VHWs) began an indefinite strike, leaving thousands of patients across the country without the support they desperately needed. However, on June 15, 2025, LEWA Secretary General Hlalefang Seoaholimo urged workers to return to their duties starting June 16, 2025, in an audio message addressed to VHW, saying the union body received promising update from the Ministry of Health.

“During the meeting, we were informed that the Ministry of Finance has requested the Ministry of Health to submit all the necessary documents required to address the implementation of our payments,” Seoaholimo said.

He added: “I personally reviewed the documents and I am satisfied with how they have been drafted and the quality of information they contain.”

He further urged all VHW to resume their duties starting Monday, 16 June, to allow the Ministries of Health and Finance time to finalise the process they have begun.

This process is aimed at enforcing the Labour Court’s verdict, which ruled that Village Health Workers must be paid in accordance with the country’s minimum wage.

“I appeal to all Village Health Workers to return to work tomorrow (June 16, 2025). I am satisfied with the progress and impressed by the documentation presented. Let’s give the ministries a chance to fulfill their commitment,” he emphasised.

This announcement comes exactly one week after LEWA declared that VHW would halt services from 9 June 2025, in protest against the government’s delay in implementing the court-ordered salary adjustment.