Gabon: Total returns to work after 11 days of strike

Work resumed Friday at Total Gabon after the suspension of an 11-day strike triggered by the failure of negotiations on wage conditions, the union source said Friday.

The strike, started on July 9, was suspended to promote negotiations, said unionist Sylvain Mayabi, secretary general of the National Organization of Petroleum Employees (ONEP), which states that no discussion has taken place with Total Gabon since the beginning of the protest.

"The strike was to last 15 days, so we can use the remaining 4 days without having to give notice if things do not evolve on the side of Total," said the trade unionist. 19659003] According to ONEP, discussions took place at the end of June on certain points of disagreement concerning the career development of employees, the introduction of a thirteenth month and various bonuses in case of sale of assets of the wire In 1965, the workers were saying no to the new pay system introduced in February-March, which reduces social benefits, especially at the housing level, "says Mayabi.

The French oil group employs some 300 people in Gabon, including 60 expatriates, according to the trade unionist

ONEP also sued Total Gabon, accusing it of employing staff of an outside company to circumvent the strike.

In 2017, the French group announced a reduction of its activities in Gabon, with the sale of activities for some 350 million dollars to the Franco-British company Perenco.

Gabon, fifth black gold producer in Africa sub -saharienne peaked in 1997 at 18.5 million tonnes, and since then the country has been on a downward slope, with less than 12 million tonnes pumped each year, according to data from the International Agency.

Even though strikes are less frequent than last year, trade union protest movements regularly hit Gabon, which is expecting a protest by officials on July 25 against the reduction of their wages. wages decided by the government.