Brussels, 7 January 2008: On 4 January, the enlarged trade union front of the CNTG-USTG with the ONSLG and the UDTG announced their decision to call an unlimited general strike starting on 10 January. The Guinean trade union organisations intend thereby to ensure that the national institutions set up all the necessary arrangements enabling the consensus government to implement effectively all the agreements signed with the unions on 27 January 2007. On 3 January, Justin Morel Junior, the Minister for Communication and New Information Technologies, was sacked by the President with no explanation given. Since last week demonstrations have been held in several of the country’s regions.

The population is losing patience. The establishment of a transitional government in March 2007 had raised people’s hopes, however the changes awaited since then have been taking a long time to come, whilst living and working conditions have remained precarious. Justice also seems to be taking a long time to be done and the unions are critical of the dismissal for lack of evidence of the case against Mamadou Sylla, whose release sparked off a protest last year.

In a letter (FR - pdf) to the ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States), the ITUC expressed its profound concern at the deteriorating socio-political situation in Guinea. The ECOWAS played an active role in the establishment of the transitional arrangements in Guinea and its support will be vital for guaranteeing peace, stability and democracy in this West African country.

The ITUC represents 168 million workers in 153 countries and territories and has 305 national affiliates.

For more information, please contact the ITUC Press Department on: +32 2 224 0204 or +32 476 621 018.