Benin: 72-hour nationwide public-sector strike Jan. 16 /update 1

Event

Public-sector employees working in education, health, administration, and transportation (ports) launched a nationwide 72-hour strike on Tuesday, January 16, to protest the late December passage of a law prohibiting public-sector employees from striking. According to the seven unions involved, the strike may be renewed after the 72 hours have passed. Judiciary workers previously launched an indefinite strike on January 8. Numerous public services may be affected by the ongoing strike, and related protests cannot be ruled out.

Context

Beninese lawmakers passed the controversial piece of legislation on December 28, according to which public security forces, health officials, and judiciary officials are also prohibited from organizing or participating in strikes.

There has been mounting discontent among the Beninese population in recent months over the perceived poor management of the country by President Patrice Talon. Benin is currently facing a severe economic crisis, with unemployment at record highs and purchasing power at its lowest in recent memory. As such, civil servant strikes and protests have become common in recent months.

Advice

Individuals in Benin are advised to monitor developments to the situation, to anticipate service disruptions in affected sectors, and to avoid all protests due to the risk of violence. 

On a more general note, some Western governments advise against travel to the far north of the country - including areas along the Nigerien and Burkinabé borders - due to security concerns.