Ivory Coast
Tanzania miners: digging their own graves
A new report into the mining industry in Tanzania has exposed endemic corruption, displacement of the poor, environmental destruction and deteriorating working conditions in the poverty-stricken country as international corporations clean up.
The Bomani report found that two companies in particular, Canadian group Barrick and the South African firm AngloGold Ashanti, which between them hold the vast majority of the mining rights and operating facilities in Africa, have been systematically cutting local communities out of the deicision-making process, manipulating state and national politics and mistreating workers as they haul in huge
Ivory coast workers win cocoa strike
Workers across the cocoa industry in Ivory Coast have gone back to work after winning a strike action which brought shipments to a standstill at the beginning of January.
The strikers wanted to secure better pay and working conditions, and oust senior management in government agencies accused of severe malpractice.
Ivory Coast: Medical strike enters ninth day
The all-out strike, with no minimum service, continues, leaving hospitals practically deserted.
The strike was originally called by the Ivory Coast senior medical workers union (Synacass-ci) in relation to yearly pay negotiations. Currently a doctor receives a salary of 173000 CFA Francs (£180), the Ivory coast is suffering from major price increases, especially of staples. For example the price of 12kg of cooking gas has risen from 3500 CFA Francs to between 4500 and 5000.
Ivory Coast: primary school teachers continue strike
The strike, which originally began in November and was suspended in January, came back into effect on the 14th of June.
The basic demand of the teachers is an increase in the allowance that they are paid towards accomodation. The planned budget for this year gives teachers 30000 CFA Francs (£29:50) a year. Average monthly wages in Ivory Coast are estimated at CFA 26200, although due to civil problems all figures are unreliable.
Ivory Coast: hospital workers win strike over benefits and bonuses
Workers at the University hospital in Treichville have ended a three-week strike after management agreed a series of concessions.
The strike brought together members of different unions and non-unionised staff. The suspension of the strike was announced after a general meeting held by strikers.
The strikers won bonus pay for handling hazardous materials and some undisclosed improvements in working conditions. They also won the right to free medical care for themselves and their families, including operations.
Ivory Coast: customs and tax officers strike
Tax officers and customs officers launched strikes this week to demand payment of bonuses.
The customs officers' strike was in relation to unpaid quarterly bonuses. The planned 42-hour strike began on Wednesday in spite of assurance given by the Director General, Gnamien Konan, that bonuses would be paid in full by Thursday morning.
Ivory Coast: 57 workers fired for wildcat strike
Earlier this week wood workers at Ivory Coast firm SMCI were accused by their boss of going on a wildcat strike, and fired.
Owner Dassi Simone originally sacked 90 of the 110-strong workforce on January 31st, although he later re-hired some of them. The workers became discontented after the infirmary was closed, as were payment by instalment schemes and loans for school fees. In addition workers were not properly paid at the end of the year and were refused pay slips.
