Workers of Cellcom Guinée gathered in Kaloum on September 22 to denounce the deterioration of their working conditions and demand urgent solutions to the crisis facing the company. Alexandre Nyambalamou, Secretary-General of the union, highlighted the plight of the workers, citing four months of unpaid salaries, lack of personnel transportation, and insufficient investments. The situation has made it difficult for employees to commute to work, with some residing in Coyah and surrounding areas.
Nyambalamou specified that the unpaid salaries include the 13th month, as well as August and September salaries. He also criticized the state of Cellcom's network, stating that most of the operator's sites are no longer operational due to lack of investments and technical means. The union leader claimed that several equipment and servers are outdated, and technicians lack materials and spare parts. This has significantly impacted the company's operations and service delivery.
The union leader also raised concerns about former workers who have been sent home over a year ago and have not received their dues. Nyambalamou stated that efforts to resolve the issue through the judiciary and authorities have been unsuccessful. He expressed frustration over the takeover of Cellcom by Nobel, citing a lack of transparency and the failure to consult with worker representatives.
Nyambalamou accused the new shareholder, Mohamed Diallo, of not making necessary investments to ensure the company's functioning. He revealed that workers have been on strike since September 7, as the lack of salaries has made it difficult for them to finance their transportation. The union leader is worried about the impact of the crisis on the education of employees' children as the new school year approaches.
In his address, Nyambalamou appealed to the authorities, including the President, Prime Minister, and the Ministry of Telecommunications, to intervene and save the company. He suggested that the government could open up the company's capital to other investors or consider taking over Cellcom. The union leader emphasized that workers have already approached several institutions, including the ARPT and the Labour Inspection, without obtaining concrete solutions.
Nyambalamou stressed that all avenues have been explored, and the intervention of the highest authorities is now their last resort. He called on the government to take urgent action to address the crisis facing Cellcom Guinée. The company's situation has significant implications for the country's telecommunications sector and the livelihoods of its employees.
The crisis at Cellcom Guinée has been ongoing for several months, with workers bearing the brunt of the impact. The company's future remains uncertain, and the intervention of the authorities is crucial to resolving the situation. Key stakeholders, including the government and potential investors, will be watching closely to see how the situation unfolds.
Key points
- Cellcom Guinée workers are demanding urgent solutions to the company's crisis, including payment of four months of unpaid salaries.
- The union has accused the new shareholder, Mohamed Diallo, of not making necessary investments to ensure the company's functioning.
- The workers are calling on the government to intervene, suggesting that the company could be taken over by the state or opened up to other investors.
