In Yamoussoukro, Côte d'Ivoire, on October 3, 2026, Jean-Yves Abonga, president of Côte d'Ivoire's intersyndical, urged union organizations to unite and rally for successful discussions with the government regarding bonuses for civil servants. Abonga made this appeal during a meeting of the Coalition pour la dignité des personnels de l'éducation du second degré de Côte d'Ivoire (CODESCI). He emphasized that unity among unions is crucial for achieving significant progress in favor of civil servants.
Abonga highlighted that the Groupe des huit organisations syndicales (G8) has opted for dialogue to attain advancements for civil servants. He stressed that cohesion among union organizations is vital to prevent divergent positions that could undermine negotiations. Abonga encouraged workers to trust the approach and remain united, stating that unity will enable them to secure substantial bonuses for civil servants, particularly teachers.
Abonga defended the dialogue-based approach, countering criticism that the current union action is insufficiently combative. He argued that dialogue does not signify a decrease in commitment to defending workers' rights but rather a change in paradigm in relations between social partners. According to Abonga, through dialogue, they can gain more if they are well-organized, structured, and united.
The union leader cited several achievements obtained in recent years, including the décrochage, the establishment of a new profile for teachers, the adoption of a new salary scale linked to this profile, and the payment of the Stock des arriérés (SDA). Based on these results, Abonga reaffirmed his confidence in the successful outcome of current discussions, stating that civil servants will receive the bonus.
Abonga called on civil servants to remain united around the union approach, emphasizing that defending workers' interests does not necessarily require conflict but can also rely on a structured organization, cohesion, and social dialogue. He expressed confidence that with unity and dialogue, they can achieve their goals.
The discussions between the government and union organizations are currently focused on securing bonuses for civil servants. Abonga's call for unity and dialogue reflects the unions' strategy to engage with the government and achieve their objectives. The outcome of these discussions will likely have a significant impact on civil servants in Côte d'Ivoire.
The Agence ivoirienne de presse (AIP) reported on Abonga's remarks, highlighting the importance of unity and dialogue in achieving the unions' goals. The report also underscored Abonga's confidence in the successful outcome of the discussions and his commitment to defending workers' rights through dialogue and cooperation.
Key points
- Côte d'Ivoire's intersyndical president, Jean-Yves Abonga, calls for union unity to secure bonuses for civil servants.
