Tension at Mauritius’ Cargo Handling Corporation Ltd (CHCL) has reportedly gone up several notches – with employees saying they have had enough waiting for their new collective agreement.
The latest meeting between the management of the CHCL and union representatives, reportedly ended up with new threats of a general strike.
“CHCL employees are waiting for something concrete from management,” said Gerard Bertrand, negotiator for the Port Louis Maritime Employees Association (PLMEA).
Employees were expected to meet in Port-Louis this Thursday to discuss the way forward.
A general strike will entail the paralysis of port activities.
Meanwhile, another meeting between CHCL management and the PLMEA is scheduled to be held this Friday at CHCL headquarters.
“We expect something concrete. If not, we are heading towards litigation. The Conciliation and Mediation Committee (CCM) will be informed. A strike ballot will be organised. The strike is imminent,” Gérard Bertrand told Defi Media.
“The workers have had enough. They are waiting for their salary increase since January 2021. We are trying to prevent the situation to get out of hands. But the situation remains very tense,” he added.
CHCL Chairman Menon Munien said negotiations are ongoing. “This will take time. It is the Board that will take the final decision. The collective agreement, which expired in December 2020, was not renewed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Last July, employees had already threatened a strike but was contained after a first meeting with their management. The port employees are demanding a wage increase between 8% and 25%.
Source: Defi Media
