US embassy cable - 05NDJAMENA1227

UNCLAS NDJAMENA 001227 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
DEPT FOR AF, EB, ENERGY FOR CAROLYN GAY AND GEORGE PEARSON, 
DAKAR FOR CYNTHIA GRIFFITH-GREENE, TREASURY FOR OTA, LONDON 
AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS, OPIC FOR JOSEPH WOZNIAK 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ECON, EFIN, ELAB, ENRG, PGOV, CD, Economic Trends 
SUBJECT: TCC DISPUTE GOES ON 
 
REF: NDJAMENA 901 
 
1.  The following cable is Sensitive but Unclassified. 
Please protect accordingly. 
 
2.  (SBU) SUMMARY: Following the suspension on June 23 by the 
National Courts of the case brought against 
Esso-subcontractor TCC by the company's former employees, 
plaintiffs organized demonstrations on Esso facilities in 
Doba and N,Djamena on June 28 and July 18.  While the former 
event received little attention from the GOC, the latter 
demonstration resulted in the arrest of eight former TCC 
employees, who were later released after negotiations between 
the GOC and Labor Unions.  The ex-TCC employees, with the 
support of the labor unions, plan to recommence their strikes 
on Esso compounds after August 3.  End Summary. 
 
3.  (SBU) The case against Esso-subcontractor TCC by former 
employees has taken several interesting turns in the past few 
weeks.  After the suspension of the case by the Court of 
Appeals on June 23, which followed a discussion between the 
Ambassador and Mahamat Saleh Annadif, Cabinet Director of the 
Presidency (see reftel), the Chadian National Labor Union UST 
and the ex-TCC employees began to publicly accuse the company 
and its lawyer, Jean Bernard Padare, for manipulating the 
evidence submitted to the courts to bolster their case. 
Specifically, UST stated that Padare unfairly altered the 
company,s payment stubs to reflect the company,s argument 
that the workers had already been paid in full for their 
overtime.  In addition, immediately following the decision by 
the Court Appeals, the Chadian press reported that Padare 
began receiving death threats from unidentified sources. 
 
4.  (SBU) On June 28, UST called for demonstrations on the 
Esso compound in N,Djamena and its facilities in Doba, 
Miandoum, and Bebedjia.  While there was an extremely small 
turnout and no incidents during these demonstrations, local 
gendarmes were present to protect Esso,s headquarters in 
N,Djamena.  On July 7, Esso Director General Ron Royal met 
with UST General Secretary Djbrine Assali to discuss each 
party,s respective position.  Royal presented the Esso 
position that the trial was conducted unfairly (see reftel) 
and the decision on this matter should be rendered on the 
international level.  Royal also noted that Esso should not 
be held accountable for the actions and policies of its 
sub-contractors.  Assali responded by saying that as far as 
UST is concerned, Esso took responsibility for TCC activities 
when the latter closed its operations and left the country, 
and the ex-employees should be compensated for their losses. 
 
5.  (SBU) On July 20, UST called for another series of 
demonstrations in the capital and in the Doba region to 
continue to pressure Esso to comply with the ex-employees, 
demands.  According to Assali in a conversation with 
Econ/Consular officer on July 21, eight strikers were 
arrested in Kome during these demonstrations after failing to 
obtain an authorization to strike from the Ministry of Labor. 
 Assali was able to obtain the workers, release after 
contacting the Governor of Doba and Minister of Labor. 
Assali also convinced the ex-TCC employees to suspend their 
activities until August 3.  In the meantime, UST would try to 
discuss the possibility of a settlement with Esso. 
Nevertheless, Assali reaffirmed to Econ/Consular officer that 
UST and the ex-TCC employees would not cease their activities 
until they receive what they claim is full compensation for 
their activities. 
 
6.  (SBU) COMMENT: The latest flurry of activities 
surrounding the TCC dispute demonstrates that the issue is 
far from being resolved.  While the last two demonstrations 
have been resolved peacefully with no serious incidences, the 
potential for more severe events around Esso facilities 
exists.  Post will continue to monitor events surrounding 
this case. 
WALL 
 
 
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