Senegal, like the other countries of the world, celebrated the Labor Day this Thursday, May 1.
Only, according to the International Labor Office, nine out of ten workers in Senegal are employing informal employment and 97% of companies are evolving in this sector.
Consequently, this silent mass which contributes to the Senegalese economy feels marginalized and not concerned by the celebrations of the Labor Day.
Lamine Saloum, a merchant, deplores the total lack of support from the authorities, “The authorities have no consideration for us, be it the prefect or the mayor. They do not let us work, as if we were not part of this country. However, they should support us, we itinerant sellers, because we do not have many means“, He regrets.
Same bell at Modou Ndiaye, seller of clothes. For him, the difficulties are multiple: low purchasing power, slowdown and unsold sales that accumulate. “”To tell the truth, money does not circulate. We manage to supply ourselves with goods, customers do not pay the right price. The worst. I sometimes sell no article from morning to night. Those who sell food gets out of it, so imagine us, clothing sellers“He explains, visibly discouraged.
Birane Bâ, also a shoe seller, points out the unfair competition. “”I wonder where are those responsible for controlling prices. Some manage to bring imported products that they sell cheaper, while we, sons of the country, are crumbling under the weight of taxes. It would have been enough for the State to give up certain taxes for the situation to improve, both for us and for customers“, He denounces.
On the consumer side too, the discontent rises. Maïssa Fall, mother, deplores an uncontrolled priced outbreak. “”Everything is expensive here, it’s the truth. With 3,000 FCA francs, you get almost nothing in the market. This priced outbreak weighs heavily on us. To get out of it, we are forced to settle for the bare minimum».
On this May 1, while some claim better wages or return bonuses, others, quieter, but just as essential to the national economy, simply ask to be seen, heard, and treated with justice.
Par Moustapha Cissé (Dakar, Correspondence)
05/01/2025 at 8:53 p.m.
