The Union of Fisheries and Aquaculture Workers of Senegal (SYTRAPAS) has reacted to the appointment of Ms. Amy Mara as head of the Ministry of Fisheries and Maritime Economy. In a statement sent to Seneweb, the union congratulated the new minister and urged her to establish ongoing social dialogue with stakeholders in the sector.

The union also paid tribute to the outgoing minister, Dr. Fatou Diouf, for the progress achieved under her leadership. According to SYTRAPAS, several measures contributed to improving the working and living conditions of the department's staff. These included ensuring the payment of performance bonuses, extending overtime pay to contract workers, providing social support during religious holidays, and strengthening the ministry's equipment and logistical resources.

The union also highlights the ongoing acquisition of three buses intended for transporting staff to the Ousmane Tanor Dieng ministerial complex in Diamniadio, as well as the granting of a subsidy of 10 million CFA francs to the Primary Sector Health Mutual.

While welcoming these achievements, SYTRAPAS expresses the wish that the new minister will continue the reforms undertaken, in particular the establishment of the Sector Intervention Fund, presented as an important commitment of the government within the framework of the Social Stability Pact for inclusive and sustainable growth.

Recalling the strategic role of fishing in the Senegalese economy, with a contribution of 3.2% to the Gross Domestic Product and covering 70 to 75% of the population's animal protein needs, the union invites Amy Mara to rely primarily on the sector's human resources to meet the challenges ahead.

Finally, SYTRAPAS reaffirms its commitment to supporting the new minister in her mission, in order to contribute to the sustainable development and the influence of the fishing and aquaculture sector in Senegal.