Mining and Geology: 44 employees denounce 30 months of "social segregation" and announce a sit-in

After nearly 30 months of inactivity, the group of 44 affected employees denounces what they call "social segregation" and professional discrimination. Faced with the lack of response to their demands, the workers have announced a sit-in on Thursday, November 19, 2026, in front of the ministry, at the Ousmane Tanor Dieng ministerial complex in Diamniadio.

The Collective accuses the Directorate of General Administration and Equipment (DAGE), headed by Abdoulaye Ndiaye, of having proceeded with the abusive suspension of their employment contracts, through letters of cessation of activities which it considers illegal, without notice or compensation for collective termination.

In addition to this dispute, the employees claim three months of unpaid wages, two unpaid allowances from common funds, and unpaid mission expenses they say they incurred. The Collective also deplores the non-payment of arrears accumulated throughout the period of inactivity.

However, mediation efforts have multiplied. The Ombudsman's Office, the High Council for Social Dialogue, trade unions, religious leaders, the National Assembly, the Ministry of Labor, the General Secretariat of the Government, and civil society have all been approached. The Collective even asserts that instructions from the President of the Republic and the Prime Minister have failed to resolve the situation.

Another source of anger lies in the selection of only eight agents out of the 44, based on criteria the Collective considers opaque. It contests what it calls a unilateral approach and denounces the conditions under which the appointed consulting firm allegedly conducted its mission. According to the workers, no member of the Collective was interviewed, and the terms of reference for this consultation were never communicated to them.

Faced with what they consider a deadlock, the workers are directly appealing to the new Minister of Mines and Geology, Cheikh Oumar Seck. They are asking him to personally take charge of this social issue inherited from his predecessors and to respond to their requests for a meeting, which, according to them, have gone unanswered.

The Collective is demanding three major measures: the reinstatement of the 44 employees, the immediate payment of outstanding salaries, common fund contributions, and mission expenses, as well as the full settlement of arrears accumulated during the period of inactivity. It specifically cites the State's commitments under the Social Stability Pact for Inclusive and Sustainable Growth.

While awaiting a resolution to this conflict, the 44 employees intend to mobilize. They have announced a sit-in on Thursday, November 19th, in front of the Ministry of Mines and Geology in Diamniadio.