In a press release, the union federations, which have been demanding salary adjustments since September last year, thanked the workers for their "sacrifice" and resistance to "all acts of intimidation and emotional blackmail", remembering that this is a demand "in favor of of the survival of each one's family".
In the note, the trade union centrals reiterated "their appeal to all workers" that there would not be "any demonstrations on the occasion of May Day on Wednesday, as a sign of protest for the difficult social conditions to which they are subject".
In the document, the trade unions expressed their complete openness to continue negotiating with the Government and find consensus regarding the concerns contained in the demands list, under negotiation since December 2023.
Thanks were extended to the Angolan Bar Association (OAA) for their support, to unions from all countries, who joined the cause of Angolan workers, to civil society and political parties for their solidarity.
The third phase of this general strike, the first in which three unions came together to demand better wages and working conditions, is scheduled for the period between the 3rd and 14th of June, with the first phase marked by arrests and acts of coercion, running from March 20th to 22nd, and the second from April 22nd to 30th.
The three union centrals demand an increase in the national minimum wage, from the current 32,000 kwanzas, to 245,000 kwanzas, a "flexible" proposal, however, to 100,000 kwanzas, an adjustment of the Public Service salary, in the order of 250 percent, and the reduction 10 percent of Labor Income Tax (IRT).
The executive decided to propose a minimum wage depending on the size of the company, namely 48,000 kwanzas for small companies, 70,000 kwanzas for medium-sized companies and 96,000 kwanzas for large companies, which was rejected by the unions.
The Central Geral de Sindicatos Independentes e Livres de Angola (CGSILA), União Nacional dos Trabalhadores Angolanos - Confederação Sindical (UNTA-CS) and Força Sindical - Central Sindical (FS-CS) also demand the updating of the subsidies provided for in the system of social benefits from the National Institute of National Security (INSS), as well as the shared management of INSS funds, providing "necessary transparency".
