US embassy cable - 05KINSHASA1642

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINSHASA 001642 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE ALSO FOR DRL/IL MHARPOLE 
LABOR FOR DOL/ILAB TFAULKNER 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/02/2015 
TAGS: ELAB, ECON, PGOV, SOCI, CG 
SUBJECT: POSSIBLE PROGRESS REGARDING TEACHERS' STRIKE 
 
REF: KINSHASA 1633 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Roger Meece.  Reasons 1.4 (b/d). 
 
1. (C) During an October 3 breakfast, Presidency 
Ambassador-at-Large Antoine Ghonda told the Ambassador that 
government officials are very concerned about the ongoing 
teachers' strike (reported reftel), and the risks that this 
could escalate into widespread social unrest.  Ghonda 
reported that President Kabila had a meeting with the public 
sector union leadership on Saturday, October 1, for a frank 
review of GDRC budget realities.  Ghonda reported that the 
meeting had gone relatively well.  The union leadership 
subsequently emerged from the meeting to make a moderate and 
positive statement. 
 
2. (C) The local press is reporting a "general assembly" of 
the unionized striking teachers Monday, October 3, presumably 
to review status of talks and expectations following the 
Saturday meeting.  Ghonda appeared optimistic that, after 
this meeting, teachers could resume work this week. 
 
3. (C) Responding to a question, Ghonda said that he did not 
believe that the GDRC has yet proposed a $50/month minimum to 
the teachers or other striking government workers.  He added 
that he doubts if such an offer could be tabled, at least 
pending further analysis of the cost implications with the 
Ministers of Budget and Finance, scheduled to return October 
3 from Bank/Fund meetings in Washington.  In addition to the 
teachers, Ghonda pointed out that difficult talks with 
increasingly restive medical personnel are on the horizon, 
and there is only so much money in GDRC accounts. 
Nonetheless, he added, the union leaders appeared during the 
weekend to have a better understanding of the underlying 
budget realities. 
 
4. (C) Comment:  Up to now, the GDRC/union exchanges have 
been a dialogue of the deaf, with escalating tension and 
increasingly hard-line position statements.  It was not even 
until discussion over the September 24 weekend that two key 
unions agreed to participate in negotiations.  Talk had grown 
in Kinshasa of a "blank year," in essence the forced 
cancellation of the entire academic year.  The moderate tone 
of the union leaders' statement following the Kabila meeting 
represents a welcome change to the pattern.  Whether whatever 
understandings emerged from that meeting are sufficient to 
resolve what is a growing political crisis remains to be 
seen, but at least it would seem to be a positive step back 
from the brink.  End comment. 
MEECE