Argos strike in French Guiana ends

The three-week strike at Argos Guyane in French Guiana has ended. On 24 June and following several days of talks, an end-of-strike was signed between the parties and the company’s activities will resume on 26 June.

The strike centred around three claims: a request for financial expertise, the arrival of the new CEO and the departure of the managers in place. While the first two claims were fully met, in terms of the departure of the current managers a different solution was found. From now on, executives will report directly to the CEO, bypassing the current managers. The strikers believe that this is a transitional period. Gary de la Rosa, CEO, also pledged to return in mid-July, for a week, to take stock of the hiring of an administrative and financial director and for "an internal reorganisation". Thereafter, he should also return to Guiana every two months for 10 days.

"Argos Guyane highlights the importance of social dialogue, within the framework of workers' rights and the rights of the company, and recognises the willingness of the parties to find joint solutions. We also appreciate the accompaniment and mediation of the General Directorate of Cohesion and Populations (DGCOPOP) in the dialogue process to put an end to the cessation of activities," said Argos in a statement as it confirmed its commitment to continue to serve the country's development and its construction industry.