Madagascar faces complaint over sacking of dockworkers

The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) has filed an International Labour Organization (ILO) complaint against the government of Madagascar over firing 43 dockworkers for joining a union.

The complaint was lodged on behalf of the ICTSI-operated Toamasina Port workers and their union SYGMMA following the government’s refusal to obey a court order saying that workers should be allowed to join a union and organise for better working conditions.

ITF’s general secretary Steve Cotton said: “The local union took action through the Madagascan Courts and won – yet the Government refuses to obey the court direction. None of the 43 workers who were dismissed for union activity have been reinstated.”