The tension is at its highest at Moov Togo, a mobile operator and subsidiary of Maroc Telecom. According to the employees, the new CEO, Kitri Houchem, who took over from Djibril Ouattara in February 2015, persists since March 2015, in “not honouring the commitments made when taking office”. He was however meant to have promised to the Union of Atlantique Telecom Togo Workers (STATT) that their demands, which had been handed over to him in person by the union representatives, would be met favourably.

The demands were on the improvement of their conditions of service. Many points are highlighted, particularly the review and increase in salaries, the respect of the principle of advancement of employees by levels, payment of bonuses, medical insurance, opening of a canteen service, an infirmary and a parking lot. Kitri Houchem then asked for a period of 2 months to address their issues. The deadline expired at the end of April 2015.

Since then, there have been successive threats of strike actions, cancelled as a result of many mediations meetings with the labour inspectorate. But no progress so far. According to the workers, “Kitri Houchem refuses to comply with his previous commitments as well as the new ones ordered by the labour inspectorate”. Feeling cheated, the workers have decided to “use all means available to claim their rights”. To the point of preventing operations by a full general strike.