27 Oct 2006

New Caledonia strike talks to resume on Monday

5:53 pm on 27 October 2006

The CSTNC union and the Congress of New Caledonia will meet again on Monday for a third round of talks to try and end the union's five-week strike.

During a second round of talks, representatives of the Congress made several propositions in response to the union's demands.

The union is demanding action on several issues including the high cost of living, the departure of Filipino construction workers employed by the Goro

Nickel mining company, and the immediate construction of a nickel smelter in the Northern Province.

The CSTNC will deliberate over the weekend on the response given by the Congress members.

For most of the day around 200 supporters of the union, mainly women and children, held a sit-in protest on the main road just outside Noumea.

The protest caused major traffic congestion in the city.

The protestors only ended their sit-in in the afternoon after police warned them they would be forcibly removed.