APA- Conakry (Guinea) Since the strike began religious leaders have called for dialogue between the government and trade unions.
By Aboubacar Siddy Diallo
Guinea is facing a major social crisis as the trade union movement launches a general and indefinite strike.
Monday 26 February marked the start of this nationwide strike action. The Guinean trade union movement, which felt snubbed by the authorities, decided to take action to demand the release of Sékou Jamal Pendessa, journalist and General Secretary of the Guinean Union of Press Workers.
Sékou Jamal Pendessa was sentenced on 23 February to 6 months in prison, suspended for 3 years. Given the lack of progress in securing his release, a strike has become the union’s only means of pressing their demands.
In the capital, Conakry, all sectors of activity have been affected by the strike.
Transport, schools, banks and shops have been severely disrupted, paralysing the daily lives of Guineans.
On the outskirts of Conakry, on the ‘Le Prince’ motorway, a young schoolboy tragically lost his life when he was shot during clashes related to the strike.
As the strike was widely observed, religious leaders launched a last-ditch mediation effort with the unionists in the hope of finding a peaceful solution to the crisis.
However, despite ongoing talks nothing has been resolved.
The Secretary-General of the Ministry of Labour and the Civil Service reaffirmed the government’s willingness to engage in dialogue with the union and stressed its desire to find common ground to end the crisis that has paralysed the country.
ASD/ac/lb/as/APA