Happy May Day!

Happy Monday!

Suriname found itself facing many strikes in the previous week, from teachers to Surinam Airways employees, and there are plans for more strikes this week. We also cover the flooding that overtook the country and give an inflation update.

Strikes are planned for Tuesday, May 2nd by a large part of the labor movement.

• Union C-47 called on its affiliated member unions to stay away from work on Tuesday, May 2. Other labor associations have also been called upon to stay away from work. The union is holding a meeting to evaluate workers’ living conditions.

• The Central of Government Employees Organizations (CLO) is determining whether to participate in Tuesday’s protest.

• According to union C-47, this is because workers are finding it impossible to make ends meet. Due to increasing fuel prices and a decreasing SRD, the unions feel that they are not left with much choice besides organizing a strike.

• However, the Surinamese Business Association (VSB) does not believe that the one-day strike is conducive to dealing with the country’s economic situation.

• The VSB recognizes the strike’s legitimacy but advises that employees who want to strike should take leave instead, so vital economic functions are not disrupted.

• The VSB will continue to pressure the government to fulfill agreements and engage constructively in dialogue with labor organizations, businesses, and the government.

• The VSB will also participate in the IMF monitoring group and sees the recently installed Tripartite Consultation as a powerful tool to jointly steer government policy.

Heavy rain has caused flooding which has led to widespread concern.

• Suriname has faced heavy rainfall recently leading to flooding in many parts of the country. There was an average rainfall of between 40 mm and 112 mm around the country on April 23, 2023. As a result, the government has formed a water crisis team to monitor the situation and take necessary measures to limit the damage caused by the floods.

• There have been damages to personal household materials while schools have also been heavily damaged and have been forced to close.

• The National Coordination Center for Disaster Management is assessing which areas need assistance. The Ministry of Health is prepared to provide healthcare services, and the Ministry of Social Affairs and Housing will distribute food packages where necessary.

• Despite the global issue of climate change, the government is committed to doing everything possible to limit the impact of the floods.

• Furthermore, the Ministry of Health is warning of an increased risk of diseases and pests and is asking the community to remain vigilant about their health status.

• The Ministry of Health is taking steps to prevent a drastic increase in diseases and urges the community to be aware of the symptoms of illnesses and seek medical attention if necessary.

Teachers have also threatened to strike due to lower pay from April onwards.

• Teachers are furious that they were paid less this month compared to the last. Several Retroactive allowances have recently been paid out which has led to teachers bearing the brunt and receiving less money from April onwards.

• Despite recent flooding in the country, the protest group ‘Wi Sa Stre’ (which translates to We will strive) has organized protests.

• The president listened to the group’s concerns and brought them to his cabinet and again addressed the economic woes in the country and delayed plans to increase prices of electricity, water, and gas.

• The group stated an increase in income from SRD 6,000 to SRD 8,000 to account for increasing prices. The group decided to form after feeling that union leaders are not representative actors of their interests leading them to directly address the president with their concerns.

Disasters due to strike actions at the Johan Adolf Pengel international airport in Suriname.

• Employees of Surinam Airways were on strike which had disastrous consequences for Suriname’s Johan Adolf Pengel Airport. As SLM employees handle both their flights and those of KLM at the airport, there were concerns about any arrivals or departures.

• The SLM staff were negotiating about the salaries they receive, particularly the decrease due to the falling exchange rate. Employees receive a portion of their salaries in USD which they receive at an exchange rate of SRD23.50, while the current exchange rate is close to SRD 40.

• Due to the lack of consensus with management, the employees of the union decided to strike.

• Later in the day, the courts announced that the SLM’s Union must suspend the strike as court proceedings take place.

• A flight to Miami which was scheduled for April 28, was twice canceled while other passengers found themselves stranded at the airport.

• Passengers in Miami were also stranded on SLM’s plane were also stranded and had to return to their hotel due to paperwork issues and that the staff operating their flight had already worked overtime.

Inflation continues to wreak havoc in the country reaching 59%.

• Suriname continues to struggle with inflation as consumer prices have increased by 59.5% between March 2022 and March 2023.

• This is higher year-on-year inflation than the previous year which was 54.6%. Alongside inflation, the value of the SRD continues to depreciate.

• Furthermore, consumer prices have increased by 3.2% compared to February 2023, showing continuing inflation in the country.