Coronavirus in Africa: May 1 like no other

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Africa, like the rest of the world, is affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Several countries have taken measures, including containment, to prevent the spread of the virus. Measures that have consequences for May Day ceremonies.

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• No grievance book in Senegal

In Senegal, no parade, meetings or traditional handing over of the grievance books by the unions on May 1, Labor Day. Meetings are prohibited as part of the fight against the coronavirus . Union centers must therefore adapt to get their messages across, especially on social networks. Awareness messages to deal with the pandemic, solidarity with workers in the most affected sectors. And union officials remind us: despite everything, the fight continues. 

In memory of a union activist, the secretary general of the National Confederation of Senegalese Workers-Forces for Change (CNTS-FC), Cheikh Diop, has never experienced such a labor day: “It is the first time that I spend a confined May 1st ”.

A May 1st without gathering in Dakar

Charlotte Idrac

During the last Council of Ministers, President Macky Sall praised "  the historic decision of the union centers not to present this year a book of grievances  ". According to the latest report from the Ministry of Health on Thursday, Senegal registers to date 933 positive cases, including 589 under treatment, still 9 deaths.

• In Mauritania, a confined May 1

In Mauritania for the first time and as a result of Covid-19 , workers spend May 1st confined to their homes. No parade, no walking, no meetings. This May 1, the Minister of Labor receives the secretaries general of the power stations individually to send him their notebooks of complaints. The economic consequences of the pandemic on the living conditions of workers and their families are at the center of union concerns this year.

The May Day celebration takes place this year in Mauritania in this particular climate which limits the activities and movements of people to engage in activities that generate income or jobs. At the organizational level, we question the State on these questions. We asked that there be a real reduction compared to the tariff of invoicing of the electricity and in any case, for the average workers, and also the poor population. We asked that the State also intervene through a major national plan to rescue the population affected by the fact of this coronavirus.

Samory Ould Beye, secretary general of the Free Confederation of Workers of Mauritania (CLTM), one of the main centers in the country

Salem Mejbour

• A call for more support in the Central African Republic

In the Central African Republic, this May 1st, as in many other countries, the coronavirus forces the traditional parade has been canceled. Central Africans are called upon to respect government measures to fight the pandemic, and in particular not to organize large rallies. For their part, the unions shared their demands. And this year, in addition to the traditional demands, the unions are calling for support measures for the Covid-19.

The pandemic has economic and social consequences. On the social front, the government must support workers. Today, the prices of basic necessities have soared while today, the purchasing power of the Central African, even before the coronavirus, does not allow to eat three times a day. So for that, we ask for accompanying measures.

Firmin Zoh Ponguélé, secretary general of the central trade union Central African Union of Workers (GSTC)

Charlotte cosset

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• Africa
• Coronavirus
• Employment and Work
• Senegal
• Mauritania
• Central africa

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