Mali national workers union begins five-day strike

The Malian national workers’ union (UNTM), the country’s largest trade union, on Friday confirmed it will go ahead with its five-day strike.

The strike is to be observed from 14-18 December after failed negotiations between it and the government on Thursday afternoon.

“The executive board of the Malian national workers’ union informs workers, as well as the populations of the beginning of a strike from 14 to 18 December 2020,” said the trade union in a statement issued in Bamako.

The UNTM on Monday, 23 November, 2020, notified the government of its intended strike action.

Among other points, the trade union is demanding the resolution of the situation of its workers in the 80s, the harmonization of wage grids for government workers and the granting of premiums and compensations.

On 18-20 November, 2019, the UNTM launched a 72-hour strike, largely observed across the country, for the same demands.

According to estimates, the three-day strike cost the Malian government 7 billion CFAF. (PANA/NAN)