The unions representing workers at Gabon's Société gabonaise de transport (Sogatra) and Trans'Urb have announced the resumption of their strike, effective Tuesday, October 27. The decision was made during a general assembly at the headquarters of the Compagnie nationale des transports (CNT) in Libreville. Union leaders cited the government's failure to address their concerns regarding unpaid wages and the proposed merger of the two companies.
According to Émile Okongo, vice-president of the union, workers have not received their salaries for almost two months. The union claims that the salaries are blocked in the budget without a payment order. Évangéline Ndjako Ndaka-Ngowet, president of the union, confirmed that there is still no payment order, despite repeated appeals to the government.
The unions are demanding to be involved in the merger process and are calling on the head of state and government to intervene urgently to resolve the crisis. Essono Abaha, a union delegate, emphasized that workers simply want to work and receive their salaries on time. The strike has significant implications for the transportation sector in Gabon, which is a critical component of the country's economy.
The resumption of the strike has raised concerns among commuters and businesses that rely on the services provided by Sogatra and Trans'Urb. The unions have given the government a short ultimatum to address their demands, failing which they may resort to more radical actions. The situation is being closely monitored by the government and other stakeholders.
The merger of Sogatra and Trans'Urb was proposed to streamline the transportation sector in Gabon and improve efficiency. However, the unions claim that they have not been consulted on the matter, and their concerns have been ignored. They are demanding a transparent and inclusive process that takes into account the interests of workers.
The strike has also raised questions about the government's commitment to addressing the concerns of workers in the transportation sector. The minister of communication and media has recently announced plans to relaunch the process of establishing a press card and examine the modalities of distributing subsidies to the press.
The situation at Sogatra and Trans'Urb remains volatile, with workers determined to press for their demands. The government is under pressure to find a solution to the crisis, which has significant implications for the economy and the well-being of workers. The strike is expected to continue until a resolution is reached.
Key points
- The unions have lifted their strike suspension due to unpaid wages and unresolved merger issues.
- The strike has significant implications for the transportation sector in Gabon.
- The government is under pressure to find a solution to the crisis.
