CONAKRY, (REUTERS) – Guinea’s trade unions have suspended a nationwide strike that had paralysed the West African nation and its mining sector since Monday, a statement said on Wednesday.
Guinean Trade Union Movement, an umbrella group for multiple workers’ unions, said in the statement that it was suspending the strike following the freeing of a detained union leader, Sekou Jamal Pendessa on Wednesday, one of their key demands.
It added that the unions were open to resume negotiations with the government over their remaining grievances. These include lowering food prices, lifting internet restrictions, and the application of a wage deal reached with the government in November.
The strike had disrupted operations at several mines in the world’s second-largest bauxite producer. Traders said on Monday that alumina prices in China traded higher due to the strike, but the impact was limited because of Chinese inventories of bauxite.
