Tensions are rising between trade unions and the authorities. Meeting in general assembly this Friday at the CNTS Ker Madia Labour Exchange in Dakar, the leaders of the Trade Union Front for the Defence of Labour (FSDT) decided to launch a call for a 24-hour general strike across the entire national territory on Friday, July 10, 2026, to denounce what they call "social regression" and the failure of the Government to respect the commitments made.

This decision came after a meeting that brought together the general secretaries of the major trade unions and delegates from several professional sectors. The participants assessed the social, economic, and trade union situation in the country before drawing up a report deemed concerning regarding relations between the state and workers.

According to the FSDT, the numerous steps taken in recent months to prioritize dialogue have yielded no tangible results. Union leaders believe that the authorities have preferred "confrontation to dialogue" and "forceful action to consultation," an approach which, in their view, undermines workers' rights and poses a lasting threat to social stability.

The FSDT denounces in particular the weak implementation of the commitments contained in the National Pact for Social Stability and Inclusive Growth (PNSS-CID), which it now considers to be a mere declaration of intent due to the lack of concrete application.

The trade unions also condemn what they describe as an unprecedented deterioration in the social climate, marked by unilateral decisions that undermine the principles of social dialogue. They further accuse the public authorities of increasing attacks on trade union freedoms, acts of intimidation, and obstacles to the exercise of trade union activities.

Another point of contention is the proposed reform of the Labor Code and the Social Security Code. The unions assert their rejection of the provisions, which they deem regressive, arguing that they were drafted without sufficient consultation with social partners and that they risk weakening rights acquired after decades of struggle.

Union leaders also denounced the dismissals of 911 workers in the public and semi-public sectors, which they deemed abusive. They believe these job cuts are plunging many families into precarious situations and reflect a management of labor relations that they consider incompatible with the principles of social justice.

In its final resolution, the general assembly reiterates that social dialogue cannot be reduced to a mere formality intended to rubber-stamp decisions already made. It emphasizes the importance of honoring commitments and calls upon the Government to uphold the agreements reached with social partners.

In the absence of progress, the FSDT believes that the State will assume full responsibility for any potential worsening of the social crisis.

A national strike has been announced for July 10th.

To make its demands heard, the FSDT is calling for a 24-hour general strike on Friday, July 10, 2026, from midnight to 11 p.m., in all sectors of activity throughout the national territory.

The trade union organizations invite workers, affiliated unions and all citizens committed to social justice to participate massively in this mobilization in order to obtain, among other things, the reinstatement of the 911 dismissed workers; the generalization of the housing allowance to agents in the health sector, workers in the parapublic sector as well as to technical and administrative staff of universities; respect for trade union freedoms; the safeguarding of jobs and fundamental rights at work; the consolidation of social gains; the strengthening of social protection and the establishment of a sincere, respectful and good-faith social dialogue.

Despite the strike call, the Trade Union Front for the Defense of Labor affirms that it remains open to serious discussions with the authorities. However, it warns that it will continue the mobilization until workers' demands are met, maintaining that defending social rights and workers' dignity remains a priority.