19 Apr 2024 | 10:04 AM UTC
Angola: Trade unions to strike nationwide April 22-30 /update 1
Trade unions in Angola to resume nationwide strike April 22-30 amid minimum wage negotiations. Increased security likely; protests possible.
Unionized members of the Forca Sindical-Central Sindical (FS-CS), the Confederacao Sindical (UNTA), and the Central Geral de Sindicatos Independentes e Livres de Angola (CGSSILA) plan to resume their nationwide strike for eight more days, April 22-30. They are demanding, among other issues, that the government increase the minimum wage to between 100,000 and 245,000 kwanzas (USD 120-295); the government has reportedly offered a new wage between 48,000 and 96,000 kwanzas (USD 57-115).
Heightened security, business closures, transport disruptions, and administrative delays are likely nationwide April 22-30. While none have been announced, protests are possible; should they materialize, they will likely occur near governmental buildings or union offices in large, urban areas. Any protest action and response, which could include road closures, could result in clashes and further business operation disruptions. There is an incidental threat to bystanders should any violence occur.
Plan for business closures, transport disruptions, and administrative delays. Should protests materialize nearby, avoid them as a standard precaution and to mitigate likely ground travel delays. Plan for road travel delays near protest sites. Heed instructions from security forces. If violence erupts nearby, immediately leave the area and seek shelter at a nongovernment building.
Wage negotiations between unions and the government have been ongoing since late 2023. This is the second of three planned strike periods—the first was March 20-22, and a third is planned for June 3-14 should their demands not be met. The unions insisted that the strike would be peaceful and called for participating workers to remain at home. The March strike saw an increased security presence; while disruptions to administrative services were noted, no significant disruptions to ground and air travel were reported during the first phase. Reports suggested that some striking workers had been arrested.
