Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire) - More than 19,000 workers from 713 companies in Côte d'Ivoire have been laid off due to the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the trade union center Humanisme, which on the occasion of the labor, this May 1, 2020, pleads for them to be paid by the Employers.

Today, "more than 19,000 workers from 713 companies have been laid off, and the latter have fallen into vulnerability due to Covid-19", announces the trade union center Humanisme, in a statement read before the press by its secretary general, Mamadou Soro.

The Humanisme trade union center, which calls on the government to take "a strong measure to prohibit any dismissal in this period of Covid-19", proposes that "the months of March and April 2020 of these 19,000 workers be paid in full by the Employers".

It also recommends "effective and urgent support for workers in the transport, industry, hotel, restaurant, bar, nightclub, artists, small traders, private teachers …»

In addition, the trade union organization wishes “an inclusive dialogue at the highest summit (of the State), which integrates the social partners including the trade union centers (…) with a view to the creation of a National Committee to fight against the Covid -19 and its consequences”, integrating the Employers.

In its recommendations, the Humanisme trade union center suggests the establishment, at the Ministry of Employment and Social Protection, of a Technical Committee responsible for implementing the decisions of the National Committee for the Fight against Covid-19.

In addition, the Humanisme trade union centre, which indicates that it has invested in the field, reports that "from March 25 to April 30, 2020, nearly 50,000 workers were affected in 19 sectors of activity, with prevention kits for a value of 10 million FCFA”.

Côte d'Ivoire, affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, today records more than 1,270 confirmed cases. Abidjan, the economic capital of the country represents more than 93% of the cases notified in the country.