Brazzaville:The negotiations between the Congolese government and the representatives of the workers at the University Marien-Ngouabi (Umng) have been suspended. This suspension will remain in effect until a yet-to-be-determined date for resumption, as announced by Mr. Ferdinand Owonda, the president of the university's inter-union college, on November 5 in Brazzaville.
According to Agence Congolaise d’Information, Mr. Owonda stated that the government has promised the imminent payment of the June 2026 salaries to the university workers. This announcement followed a working session with the Minister of State, Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Dialogue, Mr. Pierre Mabiala, and the Minister of Higher Education, Mrs. Delphine Édith Emmanuel.
Despite the suspension, both parties are committed to continuing discussions on various issues outlined in the strike notice, aiming to find solutions to the staff's demands. The workers' demands include the payment of salary arrears, aligning salary payments with the public service schedule, and adherence to other commitments made by the state.
Mr. Owonda emphasized that the suspension of negotiations does not signify the end of dialogue.