Cote d'Ivoire president appeals for end to public sector strikes

Cote d'Ivoire's President Alassane Ouattara has appealed for an end to unrest in the public sector following a string of strikes over salary increases.

"Due to social unrest that threatens to cripple some sectors, I want to appeal for a truce and search for consensus to resolve disputes," Ouattara said on Sunday in Abidjan during celebrations to mark Labour Day.

Civil servants in the finance sector recently called off a three-day strike, while teachers in both higher learning institutions and secondary and primary schools have held repeated strikes to demand pay rises.

"Some workers and organizations have a tendency to abuse the right to strike, and they exercise this right to the detriment of the rights and freedoms of others and also outside of the authorized legal procedures," the president said.

I want to appeal to unions to sensitize their members to understand that strikes should not degenerate into violence or holding their employers or the community hostage, Ouattara said.

"Peace and stability are the prerequisites for maintaining and creating jobs," the president said, adding that "numerous strikes can disrupt proper functioning of the public sector, hinder economic activities and sometimes lead to closure and relocation of businesses.

Source: XINHUA