THE management of the pan-African carrier Air Afrique appears inflexible ahead of a renewable 24-hour strike over the planned layoff of nearly half the airline’s staff. Acting general manager Claude Bessec said that the new management, in place since January, could not indicate at present the modalities of payment to some 2 000 workers facing lay-offs. “The right to strike is a fundamental right and we cannot oppose that,” Bessec said. “But we are saying it could badly affect the airline.” The workers are due to begin a 24-hour renewable strike from Tuesday midnight, following failed talks on Friday and Saturday between the management and the unions on the retrenchment issue. – AFP