Ivory Coast: Nationwide oil worker strike ongoing

Event

Employees at the national petroleum entity of the Ivory Coast, PETROCI (Société nationale d'opérations pétrolières de Côte d'Ivoire), launched an indefinite nationwide strike on Monday, July 3. The strike, ongoing as of July 4, was called for to denounce mismanagement of the public company and instances of money embezzlement, as well as to demand additional labor rights, as PETROCI is reportedly set to privatize part of its assets. According to an employee spokesperson, the strike will continue until the protesters’ demands are addressed. 

Context

The Ivory Coast is a large petroleum producer with some 28 identified petrol fields and a significant world actor in the industry. PETROCI pumps, refines, and distributes petrol.

Numerous strikes, including by civil servants, have been held throughout the country over the past few months.

Advice

Those present in Ivory Coast are advised to avoid any related protests and to keep abreast of the situation.