Reporting
Madagascar: unions fight for a salary increase
Audio 01:29
The Trade Union Solidarity Platform of Madagascar gathered, on Saturday February 18, workers from the private and public sectors at the green theater of Antsahamanitra, in the center of Antananarivo.
© Laetitia Bezain/RFI
Text by: RFI Follow
2 mins
Malagasy workers' unions continue to call for better working conditions and respect for employees' rights.
On Saturday February 18, Solidarité Syndicale de Madagascar, a platform made up of more than 80 unions, organized a rally at the Green Theater of Antsahamanitra, in the center of Antananarivo, to make the voice of employees heard again, in a context increase in the cost of living.
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With our correspondent in Antananarivo,
Laetitia Bezain
A decent salary for each employee: this is one of the main demands of the union leaders, who took turns on stage at the Théâtre de verdure in Antsahamanitra on Saturday 18 February.
In assistance, Fanja, a machinist in a textile company, receives only 217,000 ariary, or 48 euros, per month.
Remuneration that does not correspond to the minimum of 250,000 ariary set by the State:
“
My salary has gone down and doesn't even allow me to cover basic expenses for rent, electricity, food, transport and the children's school.
When I get my salary, I have to repay my loans, and since that's not enough, I have to take out other loans.
»
Applying the texts to employers is also what the unions are asking for, explains Barson Rakotomanga, secretary general of Randrana Sendikaly, which represents employees in the private sector: "Last year, the ministry issued a decree for the
salary minimum hiring.
The employers did not respect it!
The Department of Labor is simply watching.
That the government take decisions for the respect of the texts which they left.
»
A salary review also demanded by civil servants.
Jerisoa Ralibera is the General Secretary of
Solidarité Syndicale de Madagascar
: “
From today, we will meet again and again.
And finally, if the state does not accept the demand, maybe the workers will take to the streets for their rights.
»
A letter listing 13 demands was sent to the government last December.
A missive remained unanswered, deplore the unions.
► To read also: Madagascar: sharp rise in consumer prices for households
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Madagascar
Employment and Labor
Unions
Social issues