Key Highlights
- The dockers of Côte d’Ivoire have denounced seven years of inaction and ambiguity regarding their status.
- A decree from 2019 has not been fully applied, leading to various grievances among the workers.
- There is a rejection of a “partisan” mutuelle that was approved without consultation with the majority syndicates.
- The dockers are frustrated and will not celebrate International Workers’ Day in 2026 due to unresolved issues.
A Seven-Year Saga of Inaction at Côte d’Ivoire’s Ports
On a Monday, the syndicates representing dockers in Côte d’Ivoire gathered at Quai 17 of the Port Autonome d’Abidjan to raise their voices. Their message was clear: seven years of inaction and ambiguity regarding their status have left them feeling neglected.
Their spokesperson, Guigréhi Aklégbou Pierre, known as “the Eagle,” highlighted the non-application of Decree No. 2019-102, adopted on January 30, 2019. This decree was meant to introduce a specific status for dockers in Côte d’Ivoire but has remained largely unimplemented despite theoretical entry into force six years ago.
Theoretical Implementation vs. Reality
The syndicates have acknowledged the “historical” reform introduced by President Alassane Ouattara, which aligned with international standards and included a contract for indefinite duration for dockers. However, they point out that despite authorities’ stated willingness, the decree is, in practice, “dead letter.”
Main Grievances
Among the principal complaints are:
- The lack of implementation of the labor concession agreement governing workforce management and use.
- No creation of a solidarity fund as stipulated by Article 40 of the status decree.
- No establishment of the control and monitoring commission for dockers’ activities.
- Coverage under health insurance is incomplete, in violation of regulatory provisions.
- Lack of exclusivity in using dockers for handling operations.
- Non-payment of guarantee indemnities and presence bonuses.
- Blocading of professional decorations without consultation and removal of acquired benefits.
- Suspension of around 100 matricules deemed abusive outside the legal framework.
The Mutuelle Controvers
Another central issue is the creation of a unique mutuelle to manage the solidarity fund for dockers. At a seminar in Grand-Bassam, organized by the Ministry of Transport on December 5-7, 2024, recommendations were made to merge existing mutual funds into an inclusive entity. However, according to the majority syndicates, discussions between two key unions for Abidjan’s port concluded with a constitutive assembly without final consultation.
On February 12, 2026, news broke on social media that the second union, along with two affiliates, obtained approval for a mutuelle without full consultation. This has been rejected by the coalitioned unions as “a power play” and “disregard of the majority.” They emphasize that while they do not oppose an independent mutuelle for specific social projects, this partisanship is unacceptable.
Call for Dialogue
The syndicates are urging employers in port handling and their trade unions to convene discussions to avoid a deterioration of the social climate in Abidjan’s and San Pedro’s ports. They remain committed to responsible, participatory, and intelligent unionism but await concrete advances.
Failure to achieve rapid structured dialogue could lead to heightened tensions in Côte d’Ivoire’s main port facilities as key social events approach.
