Cablegate: Cote D'ivoire: Bank Employees Go On Strike

VZCZCXRO2070
RR RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHAB #1084 2701339
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 271339Z SEP 06 ZDK
FM AMEMBASSY ABIDJAN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1964
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS ABIDJAN 001084

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ELAB EFIN PGOV IV
SUBJECT: COTE D'IVOIRE: BANK EMPLOYEES GO ON STRIKE

REF: A. ABIDJAN 812 B. ABIDJAN 1083

1. On September 27, the National Union of Employees of the
Banking and Financial Establishments in Cote d'Ivoire
(SYNABEFA-CI) went on strike for 72 hours, making good on a
threat issued on July 25 (reftel A). To maximize the impact,
the strike was evidently timed to coincide with the monthly
deposit of salaries, making it impossible for salaried
workers to withdraw their pay. The strike was unannounced,
but since little progress had been made in negotiations
between the union and industry management with regard to
employees' demands for a pay review, it was not unexpected.
(Note: As much as 80% of the banking sector is owned by
French banking interests. Non French-owned banks here, such
as Standard Chartered Bank and Citibank, have been hit by the
strike as well, despite their reputation for paying better
salaries than their competitors. End Note)

2. Comment: While it is not unusual in Cote d'Ivoire for a
particular union to be on strike at any time, usually over
demands for pay increases, this particular strike effectively
targets everyone earning a salary in Abidjan, thus putting
pressure on the government to facilitate a rapid solution.
This strike, together with the air-traffic controllers strike
(reftel B) and the threat announced today of a possible
customs agents' strike next week could easily complicate an
already tense political situation. End comment.
Valle

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