Transporters’ strike in Matadi: port congestion and rise in prices
Since the start of the week, Matadi, in the Kongo-Central province in the Democratic Republic of Congo, has been the scene of a road transport strike. This mobilization, led by the inter-union of professionals in the sector, quickly led to congestion in the city’s port facilities.
Indeed, the heavy goods vehicles which usually circulate in the streets of Matadi have become rare since the start of the strike. Result: the city’s ports are crowded with containers, creating real logistical congestion. This situation also had an impact on the prices of manufactured products, which increased significantly. For example, a 25-kilo bag of rice went from 56,000 Congolese francs to 62,000 francs.
The striking carriers denounce the lack of consideration of their demands by the government. They are demanding in particular an improvement in their working conditions and salaries. Among the many demands, they notably ask for a review of the taxes and levies which weigh on the road sector and which, according to them, harm the establishment of an adequate salary policy.
Faced with this mobilization, carriers are blocking access to ports and encouraging drivers who do not support the strike to join their movement. The situation is worrying and could have harmful consequences on trade between Kongo-Central and the capital Kinshasa.
The mayor of Matadi called on the unions to respect the regulatory provisions linked to the strike and offered to meet with them to find a solution to this crisis. However, if no agreement is reached between the government, employers and transporters, the strike could spread to other provinces of the country, thus having a wider impact on the national road network.
It is essential that all stakeholders engage in constructive dialogue to find sustainable solutions that address the legitimate concerns of carriers while avoiding crippling economic activity in the region. Resolving this crisis would be beneficial both for professionals in the sector and for the local economy as a whole.
In conclusion, the transporter strike in Matadi poses real logistical and economic problems. It is essential to find common ground to meet the demands of workers while ensuring the proper functioning of port infrastructure and preserving the region’s economy.