Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08CONAKRY506
2008-09-08 16:11:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Conakry
Cable title:
HEALTH UNIONS RESUME LABOR STRIKE
how-toVZCZCXRO7801 RR RUEHMA RUEHPA DE RUEHRY #0506 2521611 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 081611Z SEP 08 FM AMEMBASSY CONAKRY TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2905 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS CONAKRY 000506
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12598: N/A
TAGS: ELAB PGOV ASEC GV
SUBJECT: HEALTH UNIONS RESUME LABOR STRIKE
REF: CONAKRY 0440
UNCLAS CONAKRY 000506
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12598: N/A
TAGS: ELAB PGOV ASEC GV
SUBJECT: HEALTH UNIONS RESUME LABOR STRIKE
REF: CONAKRY 0440
1. (SBU) Citing the GoG's failure to meet long-standing demands,
Guinea's health unions resumed a nationwide labor strike on
September 8, continuing the 48 hour strike of August 11 and 12
(REFTEL). According to Daouda Conde, a member of the FSPDS'
(Guinean Federation of Health Workers) executive bureau, most union
members are observing the strike, keeping clinics and hospitals
largely closed. However, the union is maintaining a minimum level
of emergency services in select hospitals
2. (SBU) FSPDS provided POL LES with a letter they had addressed
to the Secretary General of the CNTG (National Confederation of
Guinean Workers),Rabiatou Diallo, on September 2, in which they
reminded Rabiatou that she had signed the August 11 negotiated
agreement on FSPDS' behalf. Further, they stated that the GoG has
failed to implement the agreement. Contact told POL LES that FSPDS
is holding Rabiatou responsible for the situation, and that the
"strongly worded" letter is a message that she needs to more
actively support their cause. (COMMENT. In a meeting with A/DCM on
September 4, Rabiatou said that she had received the letter and was
going to advise FSPDS to hold off on any labor strikes. END
COMMENT).
3. (SBU) The Minister of Labor reportedly requested to meet with
the health workers union representatives today, but a union contact
said they had declined because they do not want to be pressured to
suspend the strike before their demands are met. He added that the
union is meeting today at the Bourse de Travail to assess the
situation and will most likely meet with the Minister of Labor
tomorrow.
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
4. FSPDS' apparent diversion with Rabiatou's CNTG, which is
essentially its parent organization, illustrates the continued
splintering of Guinea's labor movement, which was responsible for
organizing the 2007 strike that sparked civil unrest and resulted in
the installation of a consensus government. Unless FSPDS is backed
by other unions, the strike is unlikely to continue for very long as
union members will be under pressure from both the government and
private citizens to return to work. END COMMENT.
BROKENSHIRE
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12598: N/A
TAGS: ELAB PGOV ASEC GV
SUBJECT: HEALTH UNIONS RESUME LABOR STRIKE
REF: CONAKRY 0440
1. (SBU) Citing the GoG's failure to meet long-standing demands,
Guinea's health unions resumed a nationwide labor strike on
September 8, continuing the 48 hour strike of August 11 and 12
(REFTEL). According to Daouda Conde, a member of the FSPDS'
(Guinean Federation of Health Workers) executive bureau, most union
members are observing the strike, keeping clinics and hospitals
largely closed. However, the union is maintaining a minimum level
of emergency services in select hospitals
2. (SBU) FSPDS provided POL LES with a letter they had addressed
to the Secretary General of the CNTG (National Confederation of
Guinean Workers),Rabiatou Diallo, on September 2, in which they
reminded Rabiatou that she had signed the August 11 negotiated
agreement on FSPDS' behalf. Further, they stated that the GoG has
failed to implement the agreement. Contact told POL LES that FSPDS
is holding Rabiatou responsible for the situation, and that the
"strongly worded" letter is a message that she needs to more
actively support their cause. (COMMENT. In a meeting with A/DCM on
September 4, Rabiatou said that she had received the letter and was
going to advise FSPDS to hold off on any labor strikes. END
COMMENT).
3. (SBU) The Minister of Labor reportedly requested to meet with
the health workers union representatives today, but a union contact
said they had declined because they do not want to be pressured to
suspend the strike before their demands are met. He added that the
union is meeting today at the Bourse de Travail to assess the
situation and will most likely meet with the Minister of Labor
tomorrow.
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
4. FSPDS' apparent diversion with Rabiatou's CNTG, which is
essentially its parent organization, illustrates the continued
splintering of Guinea's labor movement, which was responsible for
organizing the 2007 strike that sparked civil unrest and resulted in
the installation of a consensus government. Unless FSPDS is backed
by other unions, the strike is unlikely to continue for very long as
union members will be under pressure from both the government and
private citizens to return to work. END COMMENT.
BROKENSHIRE