Portuguese construction company Elevo said Monday it has overdue salaries of about 222 workers in Mozambique. The company blames the Mozambican state for "not honoring its financial commitments," and the obstacles caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a document quoted by Lusa.

The engineering and construction group has not disclosed the amount in arrears, both from the state as well as workers' salary arrears, but claims to have a portfolio of works worth 90 million euros in the country.

The statement comes days after Mozambican workers were abandoned, without explanation, in a situation that has dragged on for several months, says Lusa.

In today's statement, Elevo says it has not abandoned Mozambique, even adding that it intends to "strengthen its connection with the country, with some important investments planned in the short term," without further details.

Lusa