03 Dec 2018 | 10:20 AM UTC
Guinea: Teacher strike continues; potential general strike Dec. 4 and protest Dec. 6 /update 1
Teacher union calls for the strike ongoing since October 3 to continue; potential general strike December 4 and protest march December 6
Event
The national teachers union, SLECG (Syndicat Libre des Enseignants et Chercheurs de Guinée) has called for teachers to continue their nationwide strike, ongoing since October 3, until further notice. Furthermore, the umbrella union USTG (Union Syndicale des Travailleurs de Guinée) has called for its members to stage a nationwide general strike starting from Tuesday, December 4, in support of the teachers, if negotiations are not held with the government in the meantime. In addition, the SLECG has called on all female teachers to stage a protest march in the capital Conakry on Thursday, December 6, if their demands are not met.
Should the general strike and protest go ahead, disruptions to daily activities are likely. Clashes between protesters and security forces cannot be ruled out.
Context
Numerous similar teacher strikes and related violent student protests have been held in Guinea in 2017-2018. Teachers are demanding higher salaries (GNF 8 million; USD 876,300), which the government has refused to deliver; the government has furthermore frozen salary payments to teachers for the months of October and November.
Advice
Individuals in Guinea, particularly Conakry, are advised to remain vigilant and avoid all protests.
