The workers of Angola Telecom paralyzed their services more than a week ago, with the possibility of extension that week, if the state company's management does not return to the negotiating table.
According to Lourenço Afonso, Secretary General of the Union of Postal, Telecommunications and Related Workers in Luanda, speaking to the weekly newspaper Valor Económico, says that the employer threatens to initiate disciplinary and judicial proceedings, even dismissing the striking workers on the grounds that the strike be illegal.
For the Secretary-General, he alleges that these pronouncements by the management of the public company are a clear “form of intimidation”, causing them to suspend the strike, “without any fulfillment of the promises made on December 24 of last year”, informing although they "will not give in to threats", adding that officials are determined.
"If it's to fire, it will be all, you can't stay in this situation“, said Lourenço Afonso.
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The workers' Union stressed that it has already denounced the employer to the General Labor Inspectorate (IGT) and to the General Inspectorate of State Administration (IGAE), not forgetting the possibility of taking it even to the President of the Republic.
"We understand that whoever is the manager or leader must be altruistic in resolving conflicts, not taking revenge. We are denouncing and will continue. The union is willing to approach the President of the Republic, perhaps he is not aware of what is happening at Angola Telecom“, indicated Lourenço Afonso to the Angolan weekly.
According to an official note initialed by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Adilson Miguel dos Santos, he reiterated the strike as "illegal" and where he does not rule out the possibility of opening disciplinary proceedings against workers who promote or adhere to it, in addition to blaming prosecutors judicially and criminally.
"Deduct, from the monthly remuneration of the participating workers, the remuneration corresponding to the period of adherence to the illicit strike“, can be read in the official note from Angola Telecom.
From the list of claims presented by the Workers' Union last year, the Angola Telecom Board of Directors promised to comply by May of this year, which included the updating and regular payment of wages, the attribution of better working conditions, medical assistance and medication, as well as the payment of retirement compensation.
