Workers at Wouri bridge construction site to strike

Workers at the Wouri bridge construction site agitated on Thursday September 18th, 2014 threatening to stop work on site.

On Wednesday, they had stopped any activity to embark on a strike action to protest for an improvement in their working conditions. Estimated at nearly 400, the workers recruited by the Sogea-Satom companies and Soletanche Bachy claim a regularization of the wages.

They complained for example on the fact that an employee of 3rd category is either remunerated for a total value of 320 F Cfa/hour, or 3840 F CFA for a 12 hours service.

The strikers also demanded a raise in risk allowance which is currently non existent and assert a re organisation of the feed ration and transport allowances.

"We do not have a ration. When we complain, they say to us that it is our bridge ", asserts Raymond Epoupa, assistant spokesman of the dissatisfied employees.

The workers affirm that two months ago, they sent a letter to the general manager of Sogea-Satom to state the various claims but nothing was done and so, work ceased on the construction site on Wednesday.

On Thursday, all the large machines remained immobilized on the ground. The employees deserted the various workshops. No workman was seen either on the metal platform in construction above the river, close to the first bridge.

The strikers intend to intensify their action by blocking circulation on the 1st bridge on Wouri, when they received the visit of the prefect of the department of Wouri, Paul Naseri Bea.

Paul Naseri Bea discussed with the leaders and six representatives of the employees. At the end of the discussions, the prefet granted a five days deadline to the persons in charge for the building site, to answer all the complaints of the workers. He asked that all the premiums be calculated and integrated in the wages.