LESOTHO: TAXI STRIKE COMMENCES PEACEFULLY

UNCLAS MASERU 000194

SIPDIS

DEPT ALSO FOR AF/S, DS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV ECON ASEC LT
SUBJECT: LESOTHO: TAXI STRIKE COMMENCES PEACEFULLY

REF: MASERU 188 AND PREVIOUS


1. On Monday June 30, a nationwide taxi strike commenced in
Lesotho and was widely observed by minibus and taxi operators.
Maseru's downtown business and retail establishments, however,
were mixed in their observation of the protest action. Crowded
GOL-operated buses, the source of the taxi community's ire,
transported many residents to work, especially government
employees and factory workers. Although commercial and public
offices opened late, many services were functioning normally by
mid-day, including the majority of textile factories. There
were reports that at least some intra-city taxi services outside
of Maseru operated in defiance of the strike.


2. While organizers had called on the general public to observe
the June 30 through July 3 period as a general strike, Basotho
in large numbers crowded pedestrian paths to walk to and from
work locations. A complete lack of taxis in central Maseru and
a heavy security presence at intersections were the only
evidence of current tensions related to the transportation
dispute between taxi owners and the GOL. There were no reports
of violence or disruption of private vehicular traffic. The
U.S. Mission operated with reduced staffing, which included
essential staff (transported by motor pool services) and
employees who were able to walk or commute with private
vehicles.


3. COMMENT: While the first day of a planned four-day
"stay-away" caused a slow start to the workday of June 30, it
did not lead to violence or an economic shut-down that many
local observers had feared. According to Embassy sources, the
Taxi Association and the GOL are engaged in a dialogue aimed at
ending the strike action. As of COB, however, strike organizers
remain committed to continuing the stay-away for a second day.
END COMMENT.

NOLAN