Work resumed Monday in Guinea’s commercial banks follow ing the end of a strike called by the workers’ union, the Autonomous Union Feder a tion of Banks (FESABAG), sources close to the banks told PANA.
The bank workers had been on strike since 16 April, demanding better working con ditions.
PANA reported that as soon as the bank gates were opened, customers stormed the banks causing a stampede.
FESABAG said, however, that the strike was only suspended until Friday to enable the workers’ union and bank managements to continue negotiations.
It added that the strike was temporarily called off following the intervention o f the Guinean Prime minister, Jean Marie Doré.
FESABAG said that the bank managements had agreed to pay workers 12% increase in wages while it demanded a 66% increase.
The union said it wanted its members paid the same rate of wages as is being pai d in the public and civil services and the Central Bank of Guinea, adding that i t s demands followed the increase in oil prices in February this year.
Among other demands, the union is asking for a 100% increase in medical allowanc es, the doubling of all other allowances and compensations, wages excluded.
