JIRAMA: Union Protests Against the New Status – A Major Issue for the Malagasy Public Company
Tensions are intensifying within Madagascar’s national electricity company, JIRAMA, as unions representing all workers persist in rejecting a change in status that they consider threatening the integrity of their jobs and the role of the public company. Despite the recent meeting between President Andry Rajoelina and these representatives, the protests remain fierce and structured, illustrating a true standoff likely to have alarming social and economic repercussions. In 2025, the situation crystallizes a crucial issue: the reconquest or preservation of public service in the face of pressures to modernize and liberalize the energy sector. At a key stage, this opposition highlights how the issue of JIRAMA’s status goes beyond a purely administrative framework, becoming part of a strategic challenge for the preservation of fundamental rights and the future of energy in Madagascar. Discover Union Action, a platform committed to unity and collaboration. Join us to promote positive action and build a better future together.
For several months, the adoption of a new status for JIRAMA has fueled a deep crisis, illustrating the divergence of opinions on the company’s governance. Management intends to transform the company into a public limited company (SA), a move that, according to its promoters, should enable it to become more competitive and improve its performance. However, unions have vigorously denounced this approach, fearing a disguised privatization that could hamper its essential public service mission. This opposition is not unfounded, as since the beginning of negotiations, several factors have suggested that this change could lead to indirect privatization, weakening employee rights and calling into question the entity’s national vocation. Aspect
Description
| Implication | Current status type | Public administrative institution |
|---|---|---|
| Guarantee of management oriented towards the general interest | New status envisaged | Limited company (SA) with commercial management |
| Risks of privatization and profit-seeking | Union demands | Establishment of a clear and legally sound legal framework |
| Protection of workers’ rights and maintenance of public service | Government guarantees | Ensuring the company’s continued existence as a public enterprise |
| Unions perceive unconvincing promises | Growing concerns about the public service mission | The heart of the unions’ discredit lies in their belief that this transition to SA status could undermine JIRAMA’s purpose. The company’s core mission, which is to provide affordable and sustainable service to all regions of Madagascar, would be compromised if profit-making became a priority. Employees fear that such a change would dismantle their social rights and lead to accelerated budget cuts, particularly in terms of job security and working conditions. According to them, this would directly harm the population by compromising the stability and sustainability of energy supplies essential to daily life and national development. |
Discover Union Action, the initiative that brings together people determined to make a difference and promote change. Join us to act together for a common cause and make your voice heard. JIRAMA Unions: Mobilizing to Safeguard Rights and Public Enterprise Status
Unions are playing a key role in mobilizing against the proposed reform. Their objective is clear: to prevent the new regulations from undermining public management and workers’ social rights. Their action takes various forms: demonstrations, strikes, and awareness-raising campaigns. To date, several rallies have been organized at various sites, with the active participation of employees. The “Tambabe” platform, at the forefront, is demanding implementation governed by law, insisting on compliance with the law for any change in status. The determination of these social actors demonstrates the vital importance of safeguarding the current status.
đź“Ł Public awareness campaigns
đź“ť Rejection of the transition to a public limited company đź”’ Demand for strict legislative framework đź’Ş Solidarity in the defense of social and professional rights
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xZXW5C9_IM
- Ongoing negotiations: between government promises and union distrust
- The long-awaited recent meeting between the President of Madagascar and union representatives allowed the voice of workers to be heard. During this meeting, the Head of State endorsed the maintenance of JIRAMA’s public status, assuring that there would be no privatization or mass layoffs. However, this statement did little to reassure the unions, who remain particularly skeptical about the reliability of these guarantees. They maintain that continuing to force the change of status through a simple notarial amendment does not seem sufficient, insisting on the need for a legislative framework passed in Parliament, similar to a formal law guaranteeing the public service mission. Mistrust also stems from the fear that the transformation will pave the way for complete liberalization of the sector, to the detriment of employee and public rights.
- Key Aspect
- Union Position
Modality of Change
Rejection of a Simple Notarial Deed, Request for a Law
| Promotion of a Managed Change | Guarantees | Maintaining the Status of a Public Enterprise and its Missions |
|---|---|---|
| Assurance of Non-Privatization, No Layoffs | Main Fear | Liberalization of the Sector and Loss of Control |
| Modernization and Performance Improvement | Structured Opposition Fueled by Mistrust | Trade union leaders refuse to accept that the change in status be ratified by purely administrative acts, favoring clear and robust legislation. The major fear remains that the reform will serve as a pretext for subtle privatization, which would weaken public management and weaken employees’ acquired rights. The government’s justification, that this transformation aims to strengthen competitiveness, is not entirely convincing, especially given the persistent climate of mistrust fueled by historical precedents where similar promises have not always been kept. |
| Discover Union Action, a platform committed to bringing together initiatives and promoting solidarity among citizens. Join us to act together and drive lasting change in our communities. | Potential Consequences of the Rejection of the New Status: A Challenge for Madagascar | The unions’ unanimous rejection of JIRAMA’s new status could have significant economic and social repercussions. Madagascar’s energy sector is already marked by recurring crises such as frequent power outages and the inability to meet growing needs. The protest movement could slow any planned reforms and maintain outdated management, risking worsening the situation. Furthermore, the social conflict could lead to political instability and a deterioration in relations between government and employees. The central question remains the government’s ability to reconcile modernization of the sector while respecting fundamental rights and the company’s status as a public enterprise. |
Possible Consequences
Description
Maintenance of the status quo
Rejection of the change in status by all stakeholders
| Stagnation, ongoing crisis | Social risks | Strikes, demonstrations, social instability |
|---|---|---|
| Weakening of Public Management | Economic Impact | Increased Difficulties in National Energy Management |
| Delays in Modernization, Worsening Power Outages | Political Irritation | Increased Tensions Between Authorities and Unions |
| Climate of Uncertainty | Faced with these challenges, how can we envision the future of JIRAMA? | Everything will now depend on the government’s ability to establish a constructive dialogue that respects workers’ rights and serves the collective interest. The national community, as well as international partners, expect a solution that combines modernity and solidarity, ensuring that energy remains an accessible and equitable public service. A robust legislative compromise could foster controlled development, but this requires a sincere willingness to engage in dialogue and concrete commitments to all stakeholders. In 2025, the challenge remains to preserve Madagascar’s energy sovereignty while respecting the fundamental rights of JIRAMA employees. FAQ: Frequently asked questions about the JIRAMA dispute and the new status |
| What is the main reason for the unions’ refusal? | They fear that the transition to a public limited company would undermine the public company’s role in energy management, potentially undermining their rights and the public service mission. | Has the government guaranteed that the current status will be maintained? |
During the recent meeting with the unions, the president affirmed that JIRAMA would remain a 100% public company, but these guarantees remain insufficient by union representatives.
What are the unions demanding to secure their position?
They demand that any change in status be governed by a law passed in Parliament, guaranteeing the public mission and the protection of workers’ rights.
- What could be the consequences of a massive rejection of the new status?
- Stagnation in social management, continued energy crises, and significant social and political instability.
- What is the international position on this crisis?
- The international community is closely monitoring the situation, insisting on balanced management that respects both national sovereignty and social rights.
