The union representing workers at the Port autonome de Lomé has issued a three-day strike notice, scheduled for June 25 to 27, 2026, after months of unmet demands regarding pay, safety, and working conditions. This follows multiple general assemblies since October 2025, during which workers expressed frustration over stalled negotiations with port management.
Ongoing labor disputes at Togo’s key economic hub
Tensions at the Port autonome de Lomé have intensified as employees highlight persistent issues, including inadequate wages, limited accident coverage, and insufficient safety equipment at certain worksites. Despite repeated appeals, the union claims management has failed to deliver tangible solutions, prompting a decisive call for collective action.
The port employs over 3,000 dockworkers and staff, whose contributions are vital to the Togo’s economic engine. For strikers, this isn’t just a fight for better conditions—it’s a defense of a critical infrastructure pillar that underpins regional trade and commerce.
Core demands driving the strike
The union’s demands span both immediate and long-term improvements, including:
- Standardized employment contracts for all staff, ensuring fair treatment and benefits.
- Strict enforcement of daily breaks and weekly rest periods, as mandated by labor laws.
- Guaranteed annual leave and associated bonuses, currently lacking for many workers.
- Application of collective bargaining agreements to casual dockworkers, ensuring parity with permanent staff.
- Proper compensation for overtime hours, in line with regulations.
- Registration of all temporary dockworkers with the national social security fund.
- Introduction of salissure (dirt) and handling bonuses to reflect the physical demands of the job.
- Clear documentation of hiring dates, job classifications, and corresponding benefits in pay slips.
Unions urge participation, stressing individual choice
The union has called on all port workers to join the strike, emphasizing that participation is voluntary. While urging a unified front, it acknowledges that each employee retains the right to decide whether to participate. The strike notice underscores the urgency of addressing these grievances, especially as the port grapples with significant debt and operational challenges.
With the strike looming, port leadership faces mounting pressure to engage in meaningful dialogue. The outcome of these negotiations could determine not only worker welfare but also the port’s ability to maintain stability and efficiency in a fragile economic landscape.
