This Wednesday, Angolan civil servants begin the first stage of a general strike called by three trade unions that will last three days, demanding higher wages and lower taxes.
Three Angolan unions unanimously approved an interpolated general strike, which will begin on March 20 and will take place in three stages: a first three-day period from March 20 to 22, followed by a further seven-day period from April 22 to 30. 11 days from June 3 to June 14, 2024.
After consultations with workers, the General Center of Independent and Free Trade Unions of Angola (CGSILA), the National Union of Workers of Angola – Confederation of Trade Unions (UNTA-CS) and Força Sindical – Central Sindical (FS-CS) concluded that the government had not responded satisfactorily to their list demands – increasing the minimum wage, increasing the salaries of civil servants, updating subsidies and reducing taxes – and decided at the general meeting to go on a total strike.
The unions began by demanding an increase in the minimum wage from the current 32 thousand kwanzas (35 euros) to 245 thousand kwanzas (268 euros), a “flexible” offer, however, up to 100 thousand kwanzas (109 euros), a reduction in the tax on labor income to 15% and representative on the board of directors of the Angolan National Institute of Social Security (INSS), “demands” that were reportedly rejected by the authorities in six rounds of negotiations.
The unions are also demanding a salary adjustment for civil servants by about 250 percent and a 10 percent cut in the labor income tax (IRT).
The Angola CEO decided to propose a minimum salary depending on the size of the company, namely: 48 thousand kwanzas (52 euros) for small companies, 70 thousand kwanzas (76 euros) for medium-sized companies and 96 thousand kwanzas (104 euros) for large companies. which the unions refused.
Unions ensure that minimum services are provided and available to allow negotiations to continue.
The MPLA, a party in power since 1975, expressed solidarity with workers but disputed the application of a wage scale that poses problems to the solvency of the state and families, warning of rising unemployment.
The party supporting the Angolan executive is advocating a partial wage increase over the five-year period of the current term, with an increase of 25% per year.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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