The social climate within the Dakar Dem Dikk transport company is tense, and workers’ complaints are reaching a worrying scale. Masseck Ndiaye, general secretary of the New Union of Workers of Dakar Dem Dikk, denounced what he calls “purely political exercises” on the part of the general director, Assane Mbengue.

In a recent statement, he claimed that Mr Mbengue seeks to “entertain” workers instead of responding to their legitimate demands.

A justified revolt

According to Ndiaye, the recipients of Dakar Dem Dikk did not pay their receipts for ten days due to their refusal to use the Wave payment platform, which they consider to be an unjustified obligation. “They are demanding bonuses and the CEO knows that it is their right,” he insisted, stressing that general management is seeking to force employees to use this method of payment, despite the absence of obligation.

The workers’ union has submitted a platform of demands containing 24 points since July 18, but according to Ndiaye, “no point has been resolved”. He added that the DG has made promises that have remained unheeded for over 140 days, leading workers to hold a general assembly to discuss future actions, including a possible general strike.

A harmful situation

Working conditions at Dakar Dem Dikk, according to Ndiaye, have become “disastrous”. Despite the arrival of new buses and an increase in revenue, the DG has failed to resolve persistent employee problems. “He said that it went from 20 to 50 million CFA francs per day on average, he only has to resolve the workers’ problems,” he insisted.

In response to the DG’s accusations that only 20 recipients out of 100 do not pay, Ndiaye retorted: “That’s false! No receiver dares to spend the night with his payment.” He also criticized political interventions that he said harm the company’s reputation and its staff.

An imminent mobilization

Faced with this situation, the union is calling for a general mobilization to make its voice heard and denounce the management of Assane Mbengue. Ndiaye also deplored that the DG’s press conference seemed aimed at preventing the planned general assembly from taking place. “He just talks. If his predecessors are guilty of mismanagement, let the courts deal with it,” he concluded, suggesting that concerted action could soon take place.

In a context where dialogue between the union and management is broken, Dakar Dem Dikk workers are preparing to defend their rights in the face of what they consider to be prolonged inaction by their management, a problem that deserves to be addressed seriously, according to L’Observateur.