Groups Flay Intimidation, Repression Of Senegalese Water Sector Union Employees

Groups Flay Intimidation, Repression Of Senegalese Water Sector Union Employees

 

By Edu Abade

 

A group of activists under the aegis of the Africa Water Justice Network (AWJN) has charged the Senegalese national press and international media outlets to draw urgent attention to the intimidation and what it described as ‘suppression of exceptional gravity,’ especially for dissent voices and union representatives in the country’s public water sector.

In a statement made available to journalists, the activists firmly condemned the ongoing intimidation, pressure and threats of dismissal of workers, including trade union representatives, who are advocating transparency, accountability, respect for fundamental labour rights and sector reforms that impact positively on workers and served communities.

AWJN revealed that the ongoing repression represents a direct attack on union freedoms and people’s rights, adding that at the centre of the crisis is a popular employee, respected worker and union representative, Mr. Oumar Ba, known for his commitment to fair and equitable public water services for communities in Senegal.

In the face of escalating reprisals and a climate of persistent intimidation, he has been compelled to embark on a hunger strike, as a last resort that reflects the depth of injustice workers and communities are enduring, an action that shows a powerful signal highlighting the deteriorating situation of workers’ rights within SEN’EAU.

Expressing the groups’ concern, AWJN’s Steering Committee Chairperson, Aderonke Ige, said, “Threats, sanctions and dismissal attempts against workers exercising their legitimate rights constitute a blatant violation of international labour standards, including the core ILO Conventions ratified by Senegal.”

Restating the need for the sanctity of human rights, a member of the Senegalese Water Justice Network, Fatou Diouf, also stressed that “these practices jeopardize not only fundamental human and trade union rights but also the quality, integrity and stability of the public water service in Senegal.”

The AWJN also expresses its strong support for the SATES union, which, despite a hostile environment, continues to stand firm and remains the majority union within SEN’EAU. This status testifies to the sustained confidence of the workforce, despite clear attempts to weaken or intimidate the union’s legitimate activities.

Speaking from the AWJN secretariat in Accra, Ghana, the Network’s Coordinator, Leonard Shang Quartey, stated, “The repression of the Water sector workers needs to be condemned by all, especially where that repression is a result of the unions speaking out for the public good and improving services to communities.

“Their demands for fair treatment, improved working conditions, transparency, and accountability will yield better services for communities and should, therefore, lead to constructive social dialogue, not punitive measures.”

In light of the alarming situation, the AWJN demanded immediate cessation of all threats, intimidation, disciplinary measures, and dismissal attempts targeting workers engaged in trade union activities and urgent medical attention and unconditional protection for Oumar Ba, with guarantees of no reprisals linked to his peaceful protests.

“We demand the establishment of transparent, credible, and inclusive dialogue between SEN’EAU, public authorities and trade union representatives. We also demand full respect for international labour standards, including freedom of association and collective bargaining, as well as an independent review of SEN’EAU’s managerial practices to ensure alignment with principles of public accountability, transparency and human rights. Senegal has long been recognized for its strong culture of social dialogue and democratic governance.

“The current developments seriously threaten this legacy and undermine the dignity of the workers who ensure the daily delivery of a vital public service. The Africa Water Justice Network reaffirms its solidarity with Oumar Ba, SATES and all workers standing for justice, fairness and the protection of human rights in the water sector.

“We urge the Government of Senegal and the management of SEN’EAU to act without delay to resolve this crisis, safeguard workers’ rights and restore a climate of transparency, trust and respect,” the groups stated.

The statement was endorsed by the Africa Water Justice Network (Ghana); Women Collective Kenya; the Renevlyn Development Initiative (RDI), Nigeria; Senegalese Water Justice Network (Sénégal); FCPG Kenya; African Water Commons Collective (AWCC), South Africa and the Help Initiative for Social Justice and Humanitarian Development (Nigeria).

Others are the Ecumenical Water Network Africa (Nigeria); Help Initiative (Nigeria); Community Action Movement of Nigeria; Blue Planet Project (Canada/Bolivia/United States/Ghana); Plataforma de Acuerdos Público Conunitarios de las Americas, The Americas (regional); PAPC (Uruguay) and Corporación Ecológica Feminista Penca de Sábila (Colombia).