Brussels, 10 January 2008: The CNTG-USTG ONSLG and UDTG Inter-Union Group announced the suspension of the general strike scheduled to start on 10 January, after securing an agreement with the government on setting up a standing committee to assess the implementation of the 2007 agreements and a watch committee to mediate and avert potential crises.

The unions had announced the call for an unlimited general strike commencing on 10 January to press the Institutions of the Republic to create the conditions to enable the Consensus Government to effectively implement the agreements signed with the unions on 27 January 2007.

Alongside its ongoing consultations with its affiliates in the Inter-Union Group, the ITUC, supported by ITUC-Africa and the unions of Burkina Faso, had, on 4 January, requested the assistance of ECOWAS president, Blaise Compaoré, in preserving peace and democracy in Guinea (see letter FR - pdf). ECOWAS has responded favourably to the ITUC’s call and is closely following events in the country, rallying to Guinea’s aid as it did during the tragic events of January and February 2007.

“It is fortunate that dialogue has made it possible to overcome the crisis and move ahead with constructive solutions,” said Guy Ryder, General Secretary of the ITUC.

The ITUC represents 168 million workers in 156 countries and territories and has 311 national affiliates.

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