Angolan public servants today begin the first phase of the general strike called by the three union federations, which will last three days, demanding salary increases and tax reductions.
The general strike will take place in three phases, with a first period of three days between March 20th and 22nd, another of seven days between April 22nd and 30th and another 11 days between June 3rd and 14th, 2024.
According to Lusa, after consultation with workers, the General Central of Independent and Free Unions of Angola (CGSILA), the National Union of Angolan Workers – Trade Union Confederation (UNTA-CS) and Força Sindical – Central Sindical (FS-CS) concluded that the Government did not respond satisfactorily to their demands and decided, in a general meeting, to move towards a total strike.
The trade unions began by demanding an increase in the minimum wage from the current 32,000 kwanzas (2,429.99 Meticais), to 245,000 kwanzas 18,619.16 Meticais), a “flexible” proposal, however, for 100,000 kwanzas (7,599.66), reduction of Labor Income Tax to 15% and a representative on the board of directors of the Angolan National Institute of Social Security (INSS), “demands” that are said to have been refused by the authorities in six negotiating rounds.
The trade unions also demand an adjustment to the Civil Service salary, in the order of 250 percent, and a reduction in the Labor Income Tax (IRT) by 10 percent.
The unions guarantee that minimum services will be met and are available to continue negotiations.
The MPLA, party in power since 1975, expressed solidarity with the workers, but contests the application of a salary scale that poses problems to the solvency of the State and families, warning of the increase in unemployment.
