African Trade Unions, Civil Society Groups Condemn Alleged Intimidation of Senegal Water Workers

Sunday Ehigiator 

Trade unions and civil society organisations from Nigeria, Kenya and Uganda have called on the Government of Senegal to immediately halt what they described as intimidatory and anti-worker actions against union leaders and employees in the country’s public water sector.

In a joint statement issued yesterday, the groups expressed concern over the actions of the management of SEN’EAU, Senegal’s public water utility, accusing it of harassment and sustained pressure on union members, particularly, the General Secretary of the Autonomous Union of Water Workers of Senegal (SATES), Oumar Ba.

According to the statement, Ba has been targeted for leading campaigns demanding fair, equitable public water services and improved rights and working conditions for employees in the sector.

The organisations alleged that SEN’EAU management has moved to victimise Ba after he resisted what they described as attempts to sideline SATES while negotiating multi-year agreements with three other unions within the company.

They said the decision amounted to a “divide-and-rule” strategy aimed at weakening collective labour representation, a move they described as unacceptable in a system that should be transparent and accountable to the public.

The groups also criticised the Senegalese government for what they termed a “complicit silence” in the face of the controversy, arguing that the inaction has allowed SEN’EAU management to undermine freedom of expression and association as guaranteed under Articles 8 and 10 of Senegal’s Constitution.

Article 8 of Senegal’s Constitution guarantees citizens fundamental freedoms and collective rights, including freedom of opinion, expression, association and work, exercised under conditions defined by law.

“No individual, organisation or government has the right to prevent workers from exercising these rights and liberties,” the statement said.

The unions and civil society groups declared solidarity with Ba and other affected unionists, urging them to remain steadfast in the struggle for fair treatment and improved working conditions.

They called on the Senegalese government to rein in what they described as “anti-people and anti-worker” practices within SEN’EAU and to commission an independent, detailed and transparent review of the company’s management to ensure compliance with principles of justice and public accountability.

The statement was signed by 15 organisations, including the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees, National Union of Electricity Employees and several civil society groups from Nigeria; multiple trade unions and networks from Kenya; and the Uganda Public Employees Union.