In Mali, there is a major labor dispute within the financial sector as the National Union of Banks, Insurance Companies, Financial Institutions, and Businesses of Mali (SYNABEF) has urged its members to extend their strike. The dispute started after the union’s secretary-general, Hamadoun Bah, was arrested last week.
SYNABEF initiated a three-day strike starting last Thursday following Bah’s arrest on Wednesday. The union, which represents employees from banks, insurance companies, micro-finance institutions, and petrol stations, had hoped for a quick resolution. However, as their leader remains in custody, they have decided to continue the strike indefinitely from Sunday, June 9, 2024. “SYNABEF decides to continue the work stoppage from June 9, 2024, until the full release of our comrade,” announced the union in a statement.
Bah’s arrest reportedly stemmed from allegations of document forgery related to internal union activities, as claimed by a member of a bank’s union committee. SYNABEF’s former secretary-general, Aguibou Bouare, confirmed these details to Reuters after visiting Bah in prison. He expressed concerns over the charges and the manner of Bah’s arrest, highlighting growing frustrations within the financial sector workforce.
This labor dispute occurs against a background of broader social unrest in Mali. The country has been experiencing heightened political tensions under military rule since a coup in 2020. The government has been criticized for delaying promised elections and for restrictive measures on political and civic freedoms. Adding to the public’s grievances is a coalition of political parties and associations, known as the Synergy of Action for Mali, which has recently called for protests against the high cost of living and persistent electricity cuts, further straining the nation’s stability.
The continued strike in the financial sector highlights the significant challenges facing Mali’s workforce, especially in critical infrastructure sectors such as banking and finance. Employees are demanding not only the release of their leader but also assurances for more robust protections for union activities and worker rights in a politically volatile environment. The situation remains tense, with potential repercussions for both national and regional economic health if the strike continues and the political climate remains unsettled.
