Moura Company workers, salaries in arrears, threaten strike 15 September 2012
Employees of transportation company Moura Company are experiencing serious difficulties, after having gone several months without wages and discovering that their employer has not been passing on their Social Security deductions to the National Social Security Institute (INPS). The accusation comes from labor union STCT, which has given the company one week to regularize the situation. If the problems are not resolved by this deadline, the company’s workers will go on a two-day strike before the end of the month.
“The company has not been fulfilling its obligation, and workers currently have gone between seven and nine months without being paid their monthly salaries. Meanwhile, they are no longer being covered by the National Social Security Institute, as the company has not been passing their social security deductions on the institution,” according to the union.
As a result, following a meeting this week with the STCT, the employees decided to give Moura Company one week – counting from September 12 – to regularize the situation. Otherwise, “they are ready for another form of struggle, which will begin with a two-day strike before the end of the month, at the beginning of the school year.”
“This issue was thoroughly discussed with the company’s managing associate on September 11. It was concluded that there were political motivations, but this union’s role is to defend the working class,” reads the labor union press release, signed by STCT coordinator João Pires da Graça.
In a telephone conversation with Cape Verdean National Television, company president António Moura said that the firm is being “suffocated” by unfair competition from taxis and minivans in the city of Praia, and warned that, if the strike does take place this month, there is a real possibility that the company may close its doors for good. He expressed hopes, however, that the beginning of the new school year will bring revenues that could help the company pay its pending debts.
Cidade da Praia
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