Crackdown on Senegal’s Water Workers: A Threat to Human Rights

Crackdown on Senegal’s Water Workers: A Threat to Human Rights

By prince Benson Davies

The Our Water Our Right Africa Coalition (OWORAC), Public Services International (PSI), and Corporate Accountability have condemned the Senegalese water company SEN’EAU’s crackdown on water workers, particularly General Secretary of the Autonomous Union of Water Workers of Senegal, Comrade Oumar BA. The groups are calling for an immediate end to the intimidation and punitive measures against BA and respect for lawful representation and international labour standards.

The action comes ahead of International Human Rights Day, which carries the theme “Human Rights: Our Everyday Essentials.” The groups argue that SEN’EAU’s actions are a direct violation of fundamental trade union freedoms and basic human rights, and that the company’s conduct exposes the fragility of those rights when private interests govern public goods.

The conflict began when BA questioned SEN’EAU’s attempt to negotiate a multi-year agreement with representatives of three unions while excluding SATES, the union he leads. SATES is contesting in court a digital voting process that led to the election of trade union representatives in SEN’EAU, citing violations of Senegalese labour laws and lack of transparency.

With major rural water contracts set to expire in 2027 and 2028, Senegal has a unique opportunity to reform its water governance model and restore accountability by giving decision-making power back to the communities and workers who depend on water. We urge the Senegalese government and SEN’EAU to seize this opportunity and prioritize the needs of the people over corporate interests.

Demands for Action
We call for

– An immediate end to all disciplinary and retaliatory actions against Comrade Oumar BA and other water workers
– The withdrawal of all threats and intimidation directed at water workers
– The cancellation of the unlawful digital election that has been widely criticized for violating Senegalese labour law
– SEN’EAU to adopt procedures that respect Senegalese labour law and engage in transparent and lawful dialogue with legitimately elected representatives, including SATES
– Urgent medical care and robust protection for Comrade BA, whose wellness and safety are of national and moral concern

We stand in solidarity with Comrade BA, SATES, and every Senegalese water worker who refuses to surrender their rights to a process designed to erode democratic participation and concentrate power in the hands of those who have already failed the public. We believe that Human Rights Day will carry little meaning if those who defend public accountability are victimized and attacked for doing so.

Signatories:

1. Water Citizens Network
2. Revenue Mobilisation Africa (Ghana)
3. Public Service International (Africa and Arab Region)
4. Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (Nigeria)
5. Biodiversity and Biosafety Association Kenya (BIBA Kenya)
6. Disability Not a Barrier Initiative (Nigeria)
7. Cheriehomes Global Initiatives (Nigeria)
8. Africa Water Justice Network
9. Voices for Water (Zimbabwe)
10. Senegalese Water Justice Network (Senegal)
11. Syndicat National Autonome des Travailleurs de l’Energie, de l’Eau et des Mines du Cameroun SYNATEEC (Cameroon)
12. African Centre for Advocacy (Cameroon)
13. Corporate Accountability (USA)
14. La Confédération des Syndicats Aitonomes du Sénégal (CSA-Sen)