MINISTER OF LABOR ON SALARIES AND LABOR DISPUTES

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 CONAKRY 000232 SIPDIS C O R R E C T E D COPY - ADDING CLASS MARKING PARA ONE E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/27/2019 TAGS: PREL PGOV ELAB ASEC GV SUBJECT: MINISTER OF LABOR ON SALARIES AND LABOR DISPUTES CONAKRY 00000232 001.2 OF 002 Classified By: POL/ECON CHIEF SHANNON CAZEAU FOR REASON 1.4 B AND D ¶1. (C) SUMMARY. According to Guinea's Minister of Labor, the GoG does not anticipate any problems paying salaries to its career civil servants. He confirmed recent delays in issuing salary payments, but claimed that the problem is primarily administrative, and is on its way to being resolved. The Minister also commented on the recent spate of labor disputes that have affected several foreign companies, which he claimed stem from a historic lack of cultural sensitivity. The Minister clearly advocated on behalf of the CNDD, but came across as thoughtful, and open to considering other viewpoints. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (U) On April 12, Pol/Econ Chief met with the Guinean Minister of Labor, Dr. Alpha Diallo, who was appointed to his current position by the CNDD. He is a Peuhl from Middle Guinea and a career civil servant from Guinea's Central Bank, where he was advisor to the Central Bank Governor. Previously, he served as Director of Economic and Monetary Affairs. He also worked at the West African Monetary Institute in Accra, Ghana. Diallo was joined by Louis M'Bemba Soumah who was recently appointed as Secretary General of the Ministry. Soumah is an outspoken, high-profile union leader. -------------- POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC VIEWS -------------- ¶3. (SBU) As this was the first meeting between Minister Diallo and the USG, Diallo spent some time describing his impressions of Guinea's current political/economic situation. On the economic front, Diallo acknowledged that the country is in a deep economic crisis, which he attributed both to the global economic situation and to Guinea's own internal financial troubles. At the same time, Diallo maintained that the informal sector remains strong while inflation has remained within GoG targets. ¶4. (SBU) Turning to the political situation, Diallo emphasized that CNDD President Moussa Dadis Camara is not interested in holding onto power. "He absolutely wants elections, but you have to understand that a lot of people want us to move slowly right now." Several times during the discussion, Diallo suggested that elections would probably not take place before the end of the year. At one point, he said "I am naturally optimistic, but we will see what happens in December." -------------- SALARIES WILL BE PAID -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Pol/Econ Chief mentioned that people have been complaining about the GoG's chronic delays in paying salaries to civil servants in recent months. Diallo acknowledged the delays, but said that people generally receive their salaries within a few weeks. He described the problem as administrative in nature as opposed to a lack of funds. Diallo explained that the Ministry of Labor has to authorize the salaries every month and then send the request for payment over to the Ministry of Finance. He claimed that the problem is related to delays in getting the paperwork through the system. However, Diallo said he is working to streamline the process so that everyone can be routinely paid on time. "I have never heard about there being a shortage of funds for operations - we have the money," he said. -------------- -------------- LABOR DISPUTES POINT TO LACK OF CULTURAL SENSITIVITY -------------- -------------- ¶6. (C) In response to questions regarding a recent spate of labor disputes involving former employees of largely foreign companies, Diallo said that several of these cases stem from the mining sector, which many Guineans believe was grossly mismanaged by the previous government. Referring to the Rusal case and the seizure of the company director's passport (Patchenko),Diallo said that Patchenko's behavior over the past several years helps explain Guineans' generally negative impression of foreign companies. "Patchenko was extremely arrogant and had absolutely no interest in the local community or local workers," Diallo said. (COMMENT. Rusal has long been the target of violent demonstrations for its perceived failure to provide basic infrastructure to the communities around its mines. END COMMENT). ¶7. (SBU) The Minister added "one very important cultural consideration here is that Guineans expect to be treated with CONAKRY 00000232 002 OF 002 respect...for many years, no one bothered to hear them out and address their concerns." According to Diallo, this type of behavior contributed to a "loss of confidence" that is unfortunately prejudicial towards expatriates. However, Diallo said the Ministry is aware of these disputes and is trying to address them, although he did not provide further details. -------------- ON EXTRAJUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS -------------- ¶8. (SBU) Pol/Econ Chief underscored USG concerns with what appear to be extrajudicial proceedings for everything from labor disputes to criminal cases. At this point, Louis M'Bemba Soumah, the newly appointed Secretary General, said "you have to understand...history has brought us to this point and we must review all these things...once we do so, order will be restored." The Minister then chimed in, saying that they face significant challenges, but that he ultimately wants to make the Ministry of Labor a model government operation. "We certainly want to respect human rights and we also need to be completely transparent," he said. He added that he would raise the USG's concerns about extrajudicial processes directly with the prime minister. -------------- ASSISTANCE PLEASE -------------- ¶9. (SBU) As the meeting drew to a close, Diallo asked for assistance implementing his action plan for the ministry, which he was in the process of finalizing. Pol/Econ Chief reminded the Minister of the USG's policy position and the fact that our bilateral assistance opportunities will remain extremely limited until elections are held. Diallo graciously said that he understood the USG position, which did not "pose any problems" for him. He emphasized that he has a big reform agenda and he is looking for willing partners. "I only expect to have a short time here so I must see what I can do and leave a legacy." -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶10. (C) Despite his clear adherence to the CNDD party line, Minister Diallo came across as thoughtful, sincere, and highly professional. He did not seem like a blind follower, but rather, someone who had carefully considered the situation and then chosen the CNDD agenda as the best fit according to his own political views. Diallo also seemed willing to listen and consider other viewpoints. His access to the CNDD hierarchy is unclear, but he may prove to be a useful conduit for explaining and advocating USG policy positions through the transition. END COMMENT. RASPOLIC