CIAAS denounces mass layoffs in Senegal, violating labor code

• The CIAAS has denounced mass layoffs in several public and parapublic structures in Senegal.
• The collective accuses the government of violating labor laws by citing economic reasons for layoffs that do not comply with the Labor Code.
• The CIAAS demands the suspension of ongoing layoffs and the rehiring of affected workers, as well as a new circular instructing all public and parapublic structures to halt layoffs and reintegrate dismissed workers.

The preservation of social stability is seen as a necessary condition for achieving the President's ambition of building a 'new, reconciled, and emerging Senegal'.

The Collectif interministériel des agents de l'administration sénégalaise (CIAAS) has expressed strong concern over a new wave of mass layoffs affecting several public and parapublic structures in Senegal. The collective directly addressed the Prime Minister, Ahmadou Al Aminou Lô, on this issue. According to the CIAAS, these layoffs are occurring despite the government's ongoing process of reintegrating workers it believes were unfairly laid off at the Port autonome de Dakar, Dakar Dem Dikk, and the Ministry of Mines and Geology. The CIAAS views continued layoffs in other structures as undermining social dialogue and contradicting the dynamic promoted by the President around the concept of 'Kiiraay', presented as a protective social lever for all citizens.

The CIAAS has pointed out that the economic reasons cited for these layoffs do not comply with the provisions of Senegal's Labor Code. The collective also denounces politically motivated hiring practices, aimed at replacing dismissed workers, which it deems unacceptable. In its statement, the CIAAS specifically mentions several cases, including the dismissal of an economist-financial expert by the Director General of the Direction générale de la Réglementation et de la Construction de l'Habitat, Moussa Tine, after months of alleged harassment. Additionally, nine senior officials were laid off for economic reasons at SN HLM, eight agents at the Programme d'urgence de modernisation des axes et territoires frontaliers (PUMA), and thirty-two agents at the Programme de Formation École Entreprise, affiliated with the Ministry of Employment, Vocational Training, and Technical Education. The CIAAS is calling for a halt to these layoffs and the rehiring of affected workers.

The situation highlights potential non-compliance with Senegal's labor laws, particularly in light of the CIAAS' demands to suspend mass layoffs and rehire affected workers. This raises concerns for lawyers and compliance officers who may need to advise clients on navigating this complex situation. The preservation of social stability is seen as a necessary condition for achieving the President's ambition of building a 'new, reconciled, and emerging Senegal'.

Lawyers and compliance officers should watch for potential non-compliance with Senegal's labor laws, particularly in light of the CIAAS' demands to suspend mass layoffs and rehire affected workers. They may need to advise clients on navigating this complex situation.

Source: Original reporting via L'alerte sur les licenciements