May Day in Benin: despite restrictions, unions not yet silenced

The Place de l'Étoile rouge, symbol of the country's revolutionary era, is today one of the largest roundabouts in Cotonou.

April 2021. © RFI/Aurore Lartigue

Text by: RFI Follow

2 mins

On this Sunday, May 1, International Workers' Day, it is an opportunity to take stock of the situation in Benin.

The country was quite well ranked when it comes to respecting workers' rights.

But the president Patrice Talon, liberal on his arrival, imposed certain restrictions which tend to hinder trade union action, such as the limitation to ten days of strike per year and the prohibition of walkouts in hospitals, courts and schools. . 

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With our correspondent in Cotonou,

Jean-Luc Aplogan

In the eyes of the Beninese trade union centres, the exercise of their rights seems increasingly complicated.

Three confederations are recognized today as the most representative after the last elections: CSTB, COSI and CSA are the government's new interlocutors.

But they failed to prevent the executive from limiting the number of strike days allowed, although they protested, marched and observed work stoppages, without success.

Kassa Mampo leads the Trade Union Confederation of Workers of Benin (CSTB), which came first in the elections.

It is the most virulent of all: “

 Since President Talon arrived, there has been no achievement at the union level.

These are called into question

, he criticizes. 

The government does not listen to trade union leaders but trade unionism is not dead.

The proof, I speak

.

»

Kassa Mampo does not let anything pass.

Last Tuesday, before the Head of State, it was he who denounced the

bill on the parliamentary pension

.

On the occasion of this May 1st, he launches his militants in the street for a march against the high cost of living and the living conditions of the workers.

Read also: Benin: President Talon and the social partners agree on the salary increase

The other two unions are not inactive.

The Confederation of Autonomous Trade Unions (CSA), of Anselme Amoussou, is organizing a rally on the Health Insurance project.

To respond to accusations of backsliding, a close associate of President Patrice Talon points out that the courses end without disruption and that the public administration is no longer hostage to the unions... He adds that it is his " 

champion

 " who took the initiative for the VAT increase and the negotiations on the revaluation of wages.

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