Siacsa denounces Minister of Justice for alleged violation of union freedom

Praia, 28 Aug (Inforpress) - The president of Siacsa today denounced, in Praia, alleged discriminatory practices by the Minister of Justice against the union, stating that such attitudes undermine trade union freedom in Cabo Verde and called for the intervention of the President of the Republic.

The president of the Union of Industry, Agriculture, Trade and Related Services (Siacsa), Gilberto Lima, made this accusation after a meeting with the President of the Republic, José Maria Neves, where he presented a series of concerns related to the world of work, in particular with prison officers.

According to Gilberto Lima, the Ministry of Justice has prioritised dialogue with another union in the sector, leaving Siacsa out, despite the fact that it represents ‘around 60% of prison officers’.

The union leader also stated that there is an audio recording, already shared in prison officer groups on social media, in which the minister allegedly declared that she ‘will not receive Siacsa’ and that she instructed the director-general of Prison Services not to maintain relations with the union. 

TC/ZS