The 41st Plenary Assembly of the High Council for Social Dialogue (HCDS), dedicated to reviewing the national social climate, was held in the presence of the chairpersons of the sectoral social dialogue committees. This meeting is part of the preparation of the 2025 report on the state of social dialogue in Senegal.

On behalf of the workers' group, Vice-President Pape Birame Diallo welcomed the government measures aimed at lowering the prices of essential goods and services, describing them as a significant step forward in improving the purchasing power of the population. According to him, these decisions reflect the expectations of social partners as expressed in the National Pact for Social Stability for Inclusive and Sustainable Growth, announced on October 27, 2025, by the Prime Minister.

However, the vice-president of the workers' group warned of persistent and significant social tensions, illustrated by the increasing number of strikes and protests in several strategic sectors, including education, health, public administration, energy, water, and the press. According to him, these tensions are the result of administrative delays and the failure to uphold several commitments contained in the pact.

The main concerns include the signing of decrees relating to the overhaul of the status of decision-makers, the generalization of the housing allowance to all state agents, the settlement of salary arrears owed to Red Cross workers and the resolution of the conflict between SATES and the Sen'Eau management.

The non-reintegration of dismissed workers in certain public structures, such as the Autonomous Port of Dakar, Dakar Dem Dikk, the CDC or the FONGIP, also remains a current issue.

The press sector is also going through a difficult period, marked by increased tax pressure and the revision of the press support fund, leading to job losses and salary reductions. At RTS, unions are denouncing shortcomings in human resources management.

The situation is considered particularly alarming in the construction sector, which is facing prolonged work stoppages, mass layoffs, and wage arrears. In the oil and gas sector, workers are denouncing the delay in signing the decree extending the collective bargaining agreement, the widespread use of subcontracting, and the lack of sufficient measures regarding occupational health and safety.

Mamoudou Lamine Dianté, President of the High Council for Social Dialogue, noted that this 41st Plenary Assembly is the last of 2025 and aims to produce an inclusive annual report on the state of social dialogue, intended for the President of the Republic. He emphasized the new authorities' commitment to prioritizing dialogue and consultation, while calling on ministries and employers to strengthen the resources of sectoral social dialogue committees.

"The HCDS intends to involve you in this crucial first step of collecting data, gathering information and achievements in promoting social dialogue, during the reference period that will be covered by its 2025 Report on the state of social dialogue," Mr. Dianté argued.

Despite the persistent difficulties, the president of the HCDS wanted to be optimistic, believing that the willingness shown by the government, workers and employers to prioritize negotiation opens up encouraging prospects for the improvement of the social climate in 2026, for the benefit of all Senegalese.