The group of 44 employees currently laid off from the Ministry of Energy, Petroleum, and Mines strongly denounces what it calls a "persistent social injustice" and a "blatant violation of the State's commitments." In a statement sent to Seneweb, the group appeals to national and international public opinion regarding its situation, more than twenty months after its work ceased.

The Collective strongly condemns the remarks made by Birame Souleye Diop, representative of the Minister of Energy, Petroleum, and Mines, during the inauguration of the Technical Committee for Monitoring the Implementation of the Social Pact, signed on May 1, 2025, by Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko. According to the 44 employees, these statements reflect a desire on the part of the mining and petroleum administration authorities to renege on the commitments made on August 6, 2025, particularly those concerning their situation.

They also denounce the ministry's refusal to engage in dialogue, despite numerous requests for a meeting addressed to the relevant authorities.

"The Collective strongly condemns the fallacious and repetitive statements made by the Secretary General of the National Union of Mines and Geology in the press, aimed at destroying the careers of the 44 unjustly dismissed employees and pleasing his minister. A union leader in the pay of an oligarchy is unworthy of representing honest and sincere workers."

The Collective condemns the government's slowness in implementing the Social Pact, of which the reinstatement of unfairly dismissed workers is a key element. The Collective also condemns the Prefect of Dakar's repeated refusal to grant a constitutional right,” the statement reads.

Faced with what they consider a deadlock, the 44 employees announce their intention to continue their struggle by all legal and peaceful means. They warn that they will oppose any attempt to replace the dismissed employees under the guise of new recruitment within the civil service.

The Collective also plans to appeal to the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), both nationally and internationally, as well as to international human rights and labor organizations. Appeals are also planned before the Administrative Chamber of the Supreme Court, the Labor Inspectorate, and the Labor Court.

Finally, the Collective accuses Minister Birame Souleye Diop and the Director of General Administration and Equipment (DAGE), Abdoulaye Ndiaye, of confiscating their salaries and common funds for over twenty months. They describe this situation as a flagrant violation of Article 25 of the Constitution, the Labor Code, and the Interprofessional Collective Agreement.

"This breach of trust is a flagrant violation of Article 25 of the Constitution, the Labour Code and the Interprofessional Collective Agreement," denounces the Collective.