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Soldiers turn on Guinean strikers

The ILO, ITUC and trade union leaders of the African region launched an urgent call for an end to the violence and for guarantees for the safety of trade union leaders in Guinea, following the death of over 120 people at the hands of soldiers and police in the national general strike declared by the trade union centres (CNTG-USTG, ONSLG and UDTG) on 10th January. The general strike was called to demand “the restoration of the National Order” amid allegations of government corruption and escalating food prices.

CNTG is a StreetNet affiliate that organises market women in Guinea, and its members have been involved in the national general strike. 

An agreement reached on 27th January 2007 by the national unions and the Guinean government, included provisions that dealt with food prices, “the installing of a broad-consensus government” and the independence of the Central Bank. It was agreed that no repressive action would be taken against strikers. The unlimited general strike was resumed on February 12th in response to the Government’s failure to respect the agreement and the appointment by the President of one of his right-hand men to take the position of Prime Minister. Protests and calls for the head of state to stand down, spread on to the streets. 

An ITUC video (http://www.ituc-csi.org) on the ITUC emergency visit to Guinea. shows the secretary general of CNTG, Ms Rabiatou Diallo, holding a handful of bullet shells from soldiers firing into the labour exchange building. Juan Somavia, DG of the ILO said, “The violence and confrontation in Conakry have already claimed many lives and represent a threat to Guinea’s people and trade union leaders.” He said that Ms Diallo, a respected member of the ILO governing body, was in danger. (Source: compiled from ITUC-Online report 13th February, 2007 and video)

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