Benin: Education workers to launch indefinite strike Jan. 16

Event

Unions representing the education sector plan to launch a nationwide indefinite strike on Tuesday, January 16. Education workers are protesting a law passed in late December that prohibits public-sector employees, including teachers, from striking. Schools will therefore be closed from Tuesday until further notice. Associated demonstrations are possible in the coming days.

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. Judicial workers launched an indefinite strike on January 8.

Advice

Individuals in Benin are advised to monitor developments to the situation and avoid all protests, as violence may flare up without warning.

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.