The International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC) based in Senegal is facing a scandal. The humanitarian organization was ordered by the Dakar labor court to pay a total sum of 393.9 million CFA francs to twelve of its illegally dismissed workers.
The judgment rendered on March 29, follows unfair dismissals that occurred in March 2022. These twelve workers had been dismissed without valid reasons, although they had permanent contracts (Cdi) and had seniority of up to 18 years within the organization. Determined to obtain justice and recover their rights, these employees took legal action.
The IFRC had requested authorization to dismiss three other staff representatives from the regional labor inspectorate in Dakar. However, the Labor Inspectorate rejected this request in April 2022, arguing that the IFRC had not provided certified financial statements for the current year attesting to financial difficulties, and that it had not sought alternative solutions to dismissal. Despite this refusal, the IFRC has maintained the dismissals, which seem to be in contradiction with the conclusions of the Regional Labor Inspectorate of Dakar.
The Dakar court was finally seized of the case after two unsuccessful attempts at conciliation between the parties. During this phase, the IFRC never appeared to seek an amicable agreement, highlighting its lack of will to settle the dispute.
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