US embassy cable - 05MAPUTO834

UNCLAS MAPUTO 000834 
 
SIPDIS 
STATE FOR DS/IP/AF, DS/IP/ITA, DS/IP/FPO, AF/EX, AF/S 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ASEC, MZ 
SUBJECT: MANY CONTRACT GUARD FORCE MEMBERS GO ON STRIKE IN 
MAPUTO 
 
1. SUMMARY. On July 5, 2005, individual employees of the 
local guard force contracted through Wackenhut held a strike. 
Roving bands of striking guards and laid-off workers 
numbering approximately 20-25 each were going to each post to 
persuade the guards, either by force or intimidation, to 
abandon their posts. Both the RSO and ARSO reacted by 
visiting each guard post to determine which posts were manned 
and to persuade the guards that were still present to remain 
at their posts. Many posts at USG facilities and 
approximately 25 percent of residential posts were abandoned. 
AmEmb Maputo has 110 guard posts including supervisory 
positions. By 0915 many of these roving bands of guards had 
congregated into a group numbering 200-300 outside the 
Wackenhut headquarters. USG employees and families were 
contacted via the cascade system and email to inform them of 
the situation. The RSO office is working with the local guard 
contractor to provide temporary guard coverage until the 
situation is resolved. As of COB July 5th, all residential 
posts are covered, and USG office facilities are covered but 
significantly understaffed. END SUMMARY. 
 
2. On July 5, 2005, many members of the local guard force 
contracted through Wackenhut held a strike. The RSO had been 
informed that this strike would happen, however previous 
strikes never materialized or involved demonstrations by laid 
off workers in front of the Wackenhut headquarters. On the 
morning of July 5th, the RSO and ARSO started receiving calls 
that many of the residential guards were leaving their posts. 
Both the RSO and ARSO reacted by visiting each guard post to 
determine which posts were manned and to persuade the guards 
that were still present to remain at their posts. 
 
3. RSO and ARSO encountered roving bands of striking guards 
and laid-off workers numbering approximately 20-25 each, who 
were going to each post to persuade the guards, either by 
force or intimidation, to abandon their posts. The guards 
were informed by the RSO and ARSO that the act of abandoning 
their posts would be sufficient for them to be removed from 
the contract with the American Embassy. The diplomatic police 
was notified and temporarily supplied additional police to 
PA, Peace Corps, and Embassy offices. The RSO contacted the 
CDA who activated the Embassy Cascade System to inform USG 
employees and family members of the situation. Many of the 
Embassy guards, half of the USAID guards, and all of the PA 
office guards left their posts. The RSO and ARSO arrived in 
time to persuade the Peace Corps office guards to remain at 
their posts while a growing number of striking guards 
congregated outside the gate. Eventually the striking guards 
were persuaded to depart. This event was repeated outside a 
residence during the course of the morning. Approximately 25 
percent of the residential guards left their post or did not 
relieve the night shift, to include the guards at the EMR, 
who have been on post 24 hours. Due to the lack of guards at 
PA office, the RSO requested that public services at PA be 
restricted for the day until more guards could be supplied to 
provide adequate security for the public access library. By 
0915 many of these roving bands of guards had congregated 
into a group numbering 200-300 outside the Wackenhut 
headquarters. 
 
4. The RSO has been in constant contact with the local guard 
program manager for updates and possible resolutions to the 
lack of security at USG facilities and residences. The guard 
contractor proposed and initiated a temporary subcontract 
with another local guard company to supply relief guard 
forces. By 1600 hours all residential posts had guards, 
either the planned day shift, the night shift that had stayed 
on for an additional shift, or temporary subcontract guards. 
The PA building is partially staffed, and the Embassy is 
operating at 35 percent of scheduled coverage. The local 
guard program manager stated that he would supply as many 
relief guards as possible. Various sources indicate that the 
situation will be the same on the following day, which will 
significantly drain a dwindling guard force. According to the 
local guard program manager, the strike is an illegal action 
on the part of the guard force which is being instigated by a 
small band of laid-off guards who are disputing a pay issue 
dating back ten years. Although the contractor is working 
with the Mozambican Ministry of Labor (which has already 
stated that the guards actions are illegal and that their 
arguments do not have any merit) to solve this issue, it is 
clear that it will not be resolved in one day. 
 
5. The RSO sent a security message to inform USG employees 
and family members of the situation and provide 
recommendations to ensure their safety during the lack of 
guard services. More information will be passed as it becomes 
available. 
Dudley