The three union centrals welcomed, in a statement, the workers' adherence to the strike, which they estimate to be in the order of 95 percent, condemning the attitude of the National Police agents who detained some workers in the cities of Bengo and Huambo.
The General Central of Independent and Free Trade Unions of Angola (CGSILA), the National Union of Angolan Workers - Trade Union Confederation (UNTA-CS) and Força Sindical - Central Sindical (FS-CS) also called for the "unconditional release" of the employee of Education and the two employees of ENDE (electrical distributor), "under penalty of triggering public demonstrations at national level".
They also admit to taking legal action against National Police officers and managers of hospital units for violating the strike law.
In the same statement, the centers denounce coercion on provincial justice delegates "through superior guidance distributed via WhatsApp messages" and ask workers to "remain firm in this fight for survival".
Videos posted on social media show a protest by healthcare professionals at Hospital Geral do Bengo, demanding the release of a colleague and the arrest of a union delegate in Huambo.
This Wednesday, public employees began the first phase of the general strike called by the three unions, which will last three days.
The three union centrals unanimously approved an interpolated general strike beginning on March 20th and which will take place in three phases, with a first period of three days between March 20th and 22nd, another of seven days between March 22nd and 30th. April and another 11 days between June 3rd and 14th, 2024.
The unions concluded that the Government did not respond satisfactorily to their list of demands - increasing the minimum wage, increasing civil service salaries, updating subsidies and reducing taxes - and decided, in a general assembly, to move towards a total strike.
