Trade unions on high alert, 72-hour strike announced

The Front syndical pour la défense des travailleurs (FSDT) has called for a 72-hour general strike starting October 21 to protest the adoption of new labor and social security codes deemed harmful to workers' conditions. The unions criticize the government's forceful passing of these laws on August 18, 2023, without prior social dialogue, and demand respect for social negotiations. They oppose the extension of fixed-term contracts and the undermining of the autonomy of social security institutions like IPRES and CSS. The strike may disrupt the school reopening and impact workers' social and economic rights.