Amadi Diallo, spokesperson for the collective of former “Carlcare Technologie” workers, sounded the alarm. “ Currently, the platform located in Guinea-Bissau is closed by the State and this is what risks happening here in Senegal. If they fire these 15 people, they will have to pay very expensive compensation.
To avoid this, they try to make us at fault, by accusing the supervisors of embezzlement of funds intended for partners. For example, one of our colleagues was accused of embezzling 1590 FCfa, and it has been four years since he was fired. Another was charged for a sum of 15,000 FCfa, another for 31,000 FCfa and yet another for 50,000 FCfa
“, declared Amadi Diallo.
The spokesperson continued, revealing that after these 15 people, a list of 20 other employees would also be slated for upcoming layoffs. “ As we contacted the press and the authorities, they put this procedure on hold. At the same time, our colleagues who work in Tecno partner stores, notably women dressed in company t-shirts, are demanding their end-of-contract compensation.
These compensations were refused to them on the pretext that the company had no money. However, we know that in Senegal, out of 10 people who own a phone, 7 use a Tecno. As proof, Tecno invested millions in marketing this month of December. We therefore think that they should prioritize paying those who work for them, instead of investing in other things,” underlined Amadi Diallo.
Regarding the actions taken to denounce this situation, the spokesperson declared: “ We contacted the Labor Inspectorate to meet the inspector. Then we filed a complaint and a summons was issued, for a meeting with the company on the 17th of this month. We also met with the FRAPP (Front for a Popular and Pan-African Anti-imperialist Revolution), but that is not enough. This is why we are asking the President of the Republic and the Prime Minister to help us. Foreign companies exploit us, and worse, the conditions in which we work are difficult. After our complaints, management called us to negotiate, but we quickly understood that this was to slow us down, with unnecessary steps. We are convinced that they have no intention of paying us or reinstating those they had to fire. The temp company even notified us that our contracts had ended ».
These accusations highlight the growing tensions between workers and this international company and call into question the practices of foreign companies in Senegal. The daily “Tribune” is closely following this affair, which could have major consequences for the actors involved.
