Gabon: Union calls for weekly strikes every Monday from May 8

Event

The "Dynamic Unity" (Dynamique unitaire) union has called for weekly strikes in the public and private sectors beginning Monday, May 8. The union has called on all economic sectors to join the planned industrial action, which is being held to protest against the recent ban on the teachers union, as well as various other socioeconomic issues. Union members have vowed to continue to strike every Monday until demands are addressed by the government.

Context

In February, the government announced that retaliation measures would be taken to end a longstanding strike by the largest education union, which has paralyzed the country's education sector since October 2016; the union was subsequently banned. Teachers are demanding the payment of wage arrears due since 2015 and elementary and secondary school teachers have refused to return to their classrooms until these and other demands are met. 

Numerous protests have taken place in Gabon over the past months, mostly over socioeconomic conditions by disgruntled employees. 

Advice

Individuals present in Gabon are advised to monitor developments to the situation and to avoid any related protests due to the possibility of violence and the potential involvement of security forces to disperse crowds.