On the occasion of May 1, International Labor Day, the President of the Republic, His Excellency Mr. Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye, officially received the grievance notebooks presented by the trade unions. This traditional ceremony serves as a privileged moment for dialogue and exchange, allowing the Head of State to reaffirm his deep commitment to the values of work dignity, social justice, and equity. In the face of current economic and social challenges, the President renewed the Government’s firm commitment to honor, with seriousness and responsibility, the terms of the Social Stability Pact.
The Presidency of the Republic extends its warmest wishes for an excellent Labor Day to all the workers of Senegal, whose daily efforts contribute to building a sovereign, just, and prosperous future for our Nation.
Below is the full text of the President of the Republic’s speech:
Mr. Prime Minister,
Mr. Minister of Labor, Employment, and Relations with Institutions,
Ladies and Gentlemen, Members of the Government,
Mr. President of the High Council for Social Dialogue,
Ladies and Gentlemen, Directors General, Directors, and Heads of Services,
Gentlemen, Presidents of Employers’ Organizations,
Ladies and Gentlemen, General Secretaries of Workers’ Trade Union Confederations,
Dear Workers,
Honored Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
On this 1st of May, a day dedicated to honoring work and workers, I wish, on behalf of the Republic and in my own name, to extend my greetings and warmest congratulations to the entire world of work. I am delighted by the presence of all social partners, particularly the workers’ and employers’ trade union organizations, gathered for this traditional ceremony of presenting grievance notebooks.
Labor Day goes beyond mere commemoration. It embodies a moment of sincere dialogue, constructive exchange, and shared reflection on the future of work in our country. It is an opportunity to listen to one another, to understand each other, and to strengthen, together, the foundation for a more united and prosperous future.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We are once again celebrating this Labor Day in an international context marked by geopolitical tensions, persistent inflation, and profound transformations in the labor market. There is no need for me to reiterate the severe consequences of the concerning state of our country’s public finances, as outlined in the Court of Auditors’ report covering the period from 2019 to March 31, 2024.
The difficult economic situation our country is experiencing, characterized by budgetary constraints and social challenges, calls for a patriotic surge and a heightened sense of responsibility from all of us. However, this constraining reality will not weaken our determination. It will not divert our deep commitment to structurally transforming our economy and sustainably improving the living conditions of all Senegalese men and women.
This is the essence of the Senegal 2050 National Transformation Agenda, which we are implementing with the ambition to build a sovereign, just, and prosperous Senegal, relying on key levers such as industrialization, economic and food sovereignty, and the valorization of human capital. And this human capital is you: young people seeking opportunities, artisans, teachers, healthcare workers, public servants, laborers, engineers, entrepreneurs, farmers, fishermen, herders, workers of all kinds! As the living forces of the Nation, you are the breath that revives the economy in times of crisis, the energy that drives the engine of growth, and the backbone of social democracy.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Social Partners,
The expectations you have expressed are not mere declarations of intent. I am convinced that they reflect the sincere expression of your legitimate aspirations for dignified and safe working conditions, fair remuneration, strengthened social protection, and greater justice and equity in professional relations. I have also heard the concerns of employers, particularly those related to competitiveness, taxation, and improving the business environment.
I solemnly assure you that each of your expectations will be examined with the utmost attention. While current economic constraints require us to make responsible choices, they will not deter us from our duty to promote social justice. I was pleased to note that last year’s grievances were addressed with rigor and were the subject of a report prepared and published by the Ministry in charge of Labor. In this regard, I commend the measures taken by the Minister of Labor in April 2025 to enhance the salaries of domestic workers and agricultural professions.
Dear Social Partners,
The Government attaches paramount importance to social dialogue, which we consider one of the essential pillars of our country’s stability and economic and social progress. It is in this spirit that I instructed the Prime Minister and all members of the Government to engage in inclusive consultations with all social partners to conclude a new Social Stability Pact.
I am pleased to note that these series of discussions, under the aegis of the Ministry of Labor, have led to the development of a draft Pact, now named: “Social Stability Pact for Inclusive and Sustainable Growth.” This new instrument, aimed at contributing to a competitive economy, productive decent work, and equity, calls for a new social contract aligned with the 2025-2029 National Development Strategy.
I urge the Minister of Labor to promptly convene the social partners to collaboratively develop and submit to the Prime Minister a plan for implementing the commitments of the new Pact. The Government, under the Prime Minister’s leadership, will ensure the regular functioning of the bodies responsible for steering and monitoring the Pact’s implementation. Clearly and unequivocally, I commit the Government to strictly honoring the agreements and commitments made within the framework of this new Social Pact.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We know that one of the major challenges facing our country remains youth employment, a national priority. To address this imperative, the Government is deploying coherent and tailored policies through programs for professional integration, support for entrepreneurship, and the strengthening of vocational and technical training.
It is worth noting that, despite economic constraints, the labor market experienced positive momentum in 2024. The number of employment contracts recorded by labor and social security inspections rose from 61,036 in 2023 to 77,870 in 2024. This progress reflects the resilience of our economy and the collective efforts of all stakeholders.
Furthermore, the Social Conference on Employment and Employability, held on April 24 and 25, 2025, identified concrete solutions. These will be co-constructed with all social, economic, technical, and financial partners. The conclusions from this consultation framework, structured around a concerted reform agenda, will guide our upcoming actions, particularly the development of the new employment policy and the revision of the National State-Employers Convention.
We must build a solid bridge between training and the labor market: train to integrate, train to undertake, train to innovate. We will also ensure further modernization of technical and vocational training, support future-oriented sectors, and strengthen private sector involvement in defining curricula and opportunities for internships and apprenticeships.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Workers, Dear Employers,
I reaffirm the Government’s unwavering commitment to the fundamental values of work: dignity, freedom of work, trade union freedom, entrepreneurial freedom, and respect for the rights and duties of each individual. These values underpin our social model. They compel us to build a society in which effort is recognized and rewarded, solidarity is strengthened, and individual freedoms are fully guaranteed.
To this end, it is essential to have a strong Labor Administration, equipped with competent and motivated human resources and a reinforced Labor Inspection at all levels, capable of addressing the multifaceted challenges of the contemporary professional world. I urge the Government to finalize, on the one hand, the draft Labor Code and Social Security Code along with their implementing regulations, and on the other hand, the draft texts strengthening the Labor Administration’s intervention capacities.
These reforms will promote:
- The attractiveness of the business environment;
- Opportunities for massive and decent job creation;
- Strengthened worker protection;
- Social climate stability;
- Optimization and modernization of labor market regulation procedures;
- Social justice, equity, and non-discrimination in the workplace;
- Better governance of Social Security Institutions (IPS);
- Extension of social protection to informal economy workers, with the establishment of a simplified regime for very small enterprises;
- Establishment of a mandatory social security regime for self-employed workers, including those in rural areas.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The path we have chosen, one of truth and transparency, is undoubtedly challenging, but our determination to transform Senegal is unwavering. Through the 2025-2029 National Development Strategy, ongoing structural reforms, strengthened public governance, and support for high-potential sectors, we have faith in our collective ability to build a sovereign, upright, and prosperous Senegal.
On this 1st of May, I pay heartfelt tribute to all the hardworking forces of our country. Your commitment, resilience, and courage are the foundation of our development. You contribute every day to building the Nation and advancing our country on the path to progress.
Happy Labor Day to all workers!
Thank you.