Workers in Chad have begun an indefinite strike to demand the release of six opposition leaders arrested during an anti-French march earlier this month.
It will affect both public and private sectors, with minimal services being offered in hospitals, a federation of the country’s trades unions says.
Those arrested come from Wakit Tama, which in Arabic means “Time’s Up”, a coalition of civil society groups and opposition parties formed in the wake of the coup that took place following the death of President Idris Déby last year.
The coalition has been calling for a boycott of products from France, because of the former colonial power’s support for the junta led by Déby’s son
The Wakit Tama leaders were detained for allegedly destroying property and disturbing public order during the demonstration on 14 May.
Union officials says the six, who are due to go on trial next month, are now on hunger strike.
Labour Minister Brah Mahamat told the BBC striking civil servants “would face consequences”.
