Africa
South Africa: ZACF statement of support for public sector strike
Statement of support by the Zabalaza Anarchist Communist Federation (southern Africa) for the public sector strikes which are currently sweeping South Africa.
ZACF Statement of Support for the Public Sector Strike
South Africa: ‘Massive’ strike spreads on 13th day
A nationwide public sector strike by hundreds of thousands of workers has shut down schools, courts and hospitals in a bitter dispute over pay that has seen the army deployed against pickets.
Today thousands of workers have joined one of the largest strikes in South African history. The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) – which is a partner in the ANC government – has called for a one-day solidarity strike today from public and private sector workers as the ongoing pay dispute enters its 13th day.
Nigeria: General strike approaches over fuel price hikes
Workers from Nigeria's two largest unions are planning to launch an indefinite strike from Monday if their demands are not met.
The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) are both calling for the government to reverse policies instigated by former president Olusegun Obasanjo just before he left office.
Congo: journalists attacked by police
A meeting of 100 journalists in Mbuji-Mayi was broken up by police on May 31st
The general assembly had been called by the local of the Congolese Press association (UNPC) to discuss the suspension of the co-ordinator of the local due to financial irregularities.
Zimbabwe: Wildcat strikes and unrest escalates
We have received reports that wildcat strikes are spreading across Zimbabwe as workers demand pay which will match massive inflation.
Eddie Cross reported on Zimbabwe's Nehanda Radio on Friday 18 May:
Senegal: seven teachers injured by police
The teachers were on the way home from a general meeting that had been held in the state capital Ziguinchor when they were attacked by police.
The teachers who are currently involved in a dispute over pay and conditions had asked for authorisation for a march. This request was denied by the state governor. The teachers met in the town and held a general assembly (AG) they agreed on a protest motion that was to be passed to the governor but he refused to enter into any contact with them.
Congo: discrimination and illegal practices in cement factory
Congolese workers at a cement factory in Loutété are working in what they describe as slave conditions.
Workers for Société nouvelle des ciments du Congo (Sonocc), are being paid merely 20,000 CFA (£20) per month in spite of an agreement signed with management promising them 46,799 (£49). The supposed minimum wage in Congo is 50,000 CFA per month.
Zimbabwean unions call-off mayday celebrations after death threats
The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) says it was forced to cancel May Day celebrations in four provinces after militant supporters of President Robert Mugabe’s ruling ZANU PF party allegedly threatened to murder union officials if the celebrations went ahead.
ZimOnline reported: Relations between Mugabe and the ZCTU are hostile with the workers’ federation blaming wrong government polices for plunging the economy and workers into misery.
In turn, Mugabe accuses the ZCTU of conspiring with his Western enemies and of using genuine worker grievances as pretext to instigate Zimbabweans to revolt and overthrow his government.
Mayotte: Police arrest striking teachers
Local authorities are trying to break the long-running strike by arresting strikers, rather than by honouring promises made to staff.
At least five people, including the head of the CGT local, were arrested last week. The arrests followed the decision of secondary teachers to join the strike. Ironically the unions had succeeded in persuading teachers to stop crippling blockades just days before the arrests.
Congo: Hospital workers strike
Hospital workers in Goma have begun striking after their request for better conditions was rejected.
The workers were asking for a transport service to get them to work. They also asked for medical care to be included in their benefits. Currently only doctors benefit from these services and the workers have called this segregationist.
