Two teachers were arrested for violating the ban on meetings in the workplace and 14 others manhandled and arrested at their director’s request for taking part in a sit-down strike. Two trade union representatives, Jules Amoussouga and Cécil Ayadokoun, were also arrested for holding discussions with their colleagues regarding the continuation of the strike action. Although the teachers were subsequently released, these arrests are illustrative of the climate of repression in Benin.
On 14 March, the Council of Ministers decided on a range of measures including the deregistering of all teachers taking action or in any way involved in the strike. The government has, moreover, started to hire military conscripts to replace striking workers.
