05 February 2018

05 February 2018

BRAIN LABOR REPORT: 7 February 2018

ECONOMIC UPDATE: 9 February 2018


CAPE VERDE

TAXI DRIVER PROTEST CAUSES DISRUPTIONS IN CENTRAL PRAIA
On 5 February 2018, taxi drivers caused transportation disruptions in the historic area of the capital Praia. The drivers used their vehicles to block Amílcar Cabral Avenue -- one of the city’s main throughways -- to protest proposed changes by the Praia City Council in the licensing system for taxi operators. The protest was organized by Association of Owners of Beach Taxis (APTP). (05 Feb 2018)


CHAD

SEVERAL PROTESTS AND STRIKES PLANNED THIS WEEK OVER FINANCE ACT
Four opposition parties -- the ODA, COPRAT, CCPPODA and CPOMO -- have called for a nationwide march on 6 February 2018 to protest rising fuel prices, among other things, that came about as a result of the 2018 Finance Act. According to local reports, the government has banned the event, prompting concerns that the demonstrations will be dispersed. Meanwhile, the Free Confederation of Workers of Chad (CLTT) launched a two-day strike on 5 February over the Finance Act; reports indicate that the strike may be extended. Additionally, the Chadian Collective of Civil Society Organizations (CTSOSC) has organized another nationwide march to occur on 8 February.
Analyst Comment: Recent protests over the issue have resulted in violence; as such, travelers should avoid all gatherings that materialize. (05 Feb 2018)


CYPRUS

BUS DRIVERS ON STRIKE IN LIMASSOL
On 6 February 2018, bus drivers in Limassol began a 24-hour strike to protest recently reduced worker benefits. Several thousand travelers were affected by the labor action. The drivers are calling for a reversal of the benefit cuts within one week; they are threatening a 48-hour strike if their demands are not met. (06 Feb 2018)


GABON

TAXI DRIVERS IN LIBREVILLE EMBARK ON STRIKE
On 5 February 2018, taxi drivers in Libreville heeded a call to strike by using their vehicles to block two of the city's major thoroughfares in the morning hours. The strike was organized to protest an increase in the price of gasoline and diesel, as well as purported harassment and extortion by police officers. Taxi drivers’ unions have threatened to embark on an unlimited, general strike to protest over their grievances beginning on 7 February if the government does not address their complaints. (05 Feb 2018)


INDIA

STRIKE CLOSES MARKETS IN DELHI TO PROTEST “SEALING DRIVE”
The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has called for a two-day bandh (strike) in Delhi on 2 and 3 February 2018 to protest a campaign by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to close down commercial establishments that operate from residential properties. The campaign, which is referred to locally as a “sealing drive,” has resulted in the closure of more than 600 stores and 100 commercial complexes in Delhi over the past several weeks. The organizers of the two-day strike claim that the measure is harmful to the economy in addition to placing a burden on the merchants whose establishments have been closed down. Organizers stated that the bandh will close down almost 25,000 markets in Delhi, including the following highly popular markets: Connaught Place, Chandni Chowk, Karol Bagh, Kamla Nagar, Khan Market, Gandhi Nagar, Krishna Nagar, Lajpat Nagar, Defence Colony, South Extension, Greater Kailash, Green Park, Rajouri Garden, Tilak Nagar and Rajinder Nagar. Protest marches were also reportedly planned, but no further details are available regarding those actions. (02 Feb 2018)


MAURITANIA

OPPOSITION CALLS FOR NATIONWIDE PROTESTS ON 7 AND 9 FEBRUARY
On 4 February 2018, the National Forum for Democracy and Unity (FNDU) -- a collective of opposition and civil society organizations -- called for two nationwide anti-government protests to occur on 7 and 9 February to protest the poor state of the country’s political, economic and social situations.
Analyst Comment: Security forces frequently use force to disperse protests in the capital Nouakchott. Travelers should avoid all gatherings that materialize. (05 Feb 2018)

·      
SOUTH AFRICA

U.S. EMBASSY IN PRETORIA ISSUES DEMONSTRATION ALERT
On 6 February 2018, the U.S. Embassy in Pretoria issued a Demonstration Alert, which reads in part as follows: "Location: Downtown Pretoria.
"Event: Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) announced a planned protest march by the Committee of Workers for Waste Management that will be held downtown today, February 6, 2018. Approximately 300 waste management staff are expected to participate.
"The march/protest will commence at Old Putco Depot at 09:00 and will go until 12:30. The route of the march is as follows:
"From Old Putco Depot they will join Struben Street and they will turn right into Sophie De Bryn Street and left into Madiba Street proceeding straight until they reach Tshwane House.
The following intersections along Madiba Street will also be affected:
Kgosi Mampuru Street
Bosman Street
Paul Kruger Street
Thabo Sehume Street" (06 Feb 2018)


SWAZILAND

NURSES MARCH IN MBABANE
Nurses under the aegis of the Swaziland Democratic Nurses Union (SWADNU) staged a march in Mbabane on 1 February 2018 to protest issues related to their on-call allowances. The nurses gathered at the park near the Mbabane Fire Station at approximately 1000 local time (0800 UTC) and subsequently marched to the Ministry of Health to deliver a petition outlining their grievances. There were no reports of resulting disruptions or violence during the demonstration. (01 Feb 2018)


UNITED KINGDOM


UNITED STATES




Labels: , , , , , , , , ,