The ban on single-use plastics in Guinea has put over 1,000 jobs at risk at Topaz, a company based in Coyah. According to Kabinet Kouyaté, spokesperson for the protesters, if the recommended regulations are applied, only 400 out of over 2,000 workers will be able to keep their jobs. The workers are demanding that the authorities allow Topaz to continue producing all its products. They claim that the company has already taken steps to manage plastic waste and has proposed solutions to the government.
The workers at Topaz took to the streets on November 6, 2026, to protest against the potential job losses. They carried a slogan "Libérez Topaz" (Free Topaz) and wore their work t-shirts to express their concerns. The protesters claim that the company's products are biodegradable and that they have been producing them for over 20 years. They also argue that the Guinean market is being flooded with imported plastic products, which are not subject to the same regulations.
Topaz's products have been biodégradable since 2015, and the company has machines in place for recycling. The company's management had proposed solutions to the government, including systems for collecting and recycling plastic waste. The CEO had also offered to take a delegation to five countries to learn from their experiences in managing plastic waste. However, the workers claim that their efforts have been ignored, and the company is being unfairly targeted.
The workers are also accusing the government of applying "two weights, two measures" by allowing imported plastic products to flood the market while shutting down Topaz's production. They claim that the imported products are not biodegradable and are causing more harm to the environment. The workers are calling on President Mamadi Doumbouya to intervene and allow Topaz to resume production.
The protest was peaceful, with workers not blocking traffic or causing any damage. The workers are hoping that the president will hear their plea and find a solution to their problems. They believe that the president's attention has not been drawn to the issue and that he will react once he is informed. The workers are also calling on the government to protect local production and jobs.
The ban on single-use plastics in Guinea has been in place for some time, but the workers at Topaz claim that they have been unfairly affected. They argue that the company's products are not the same as the imported plastic products that are flooding the market. The workers are hoping that a solution will be found to save their jobs and allow Topaz to continue producing.
The situation at Topaz highlights the challenges faced by companies in Guinea that are trying to comply with environmental regulations. The workers are calling for a more nuanced approach that takes into account the impact on local jobs and production. The outcome of the protest and the government's response remain to be seen.
Key points
- Over 1,000 workers at Topaz in Guinea face job losses due to the ban on single-use plastics.
- The workers claim that the company's products are biodegradable and that they have proposed solutions to manage plastic waste.
- The protest highlights the challenges faced by companies in Guinea that are trying to comply with environmental regulations.
