3 DAY STRIKE WILL DISRUPT TRANSPORT AND HEALTH CARE

Representatives of the Federation of Workers' Unions -- which is comprised of the nation's seven major trade unions, indicated that a three-day strike is set to begin on 26 August 2009. The strike is being held to demand salary and pension increases and to protest the ongoing political crisis in the country. The strike is expected to cause transportation, health care and tax service disruptions in the country. Unions have demanded a 50-percent raise in both salary and government pension contributions. The workers' federation has also been a strong supporter of the political opposition and has taken part in protest actions against President Mamadou Tandja's referendum measures that extended his term in office and concentrated power in the presidency.