FSDT General Strike: Activities Significantly Paralyzed in Thiès

On Friday, July 10, 2026, in Thiès, the impact of the 24-hour general strike launched by the Trade Union Front for the Defense of Labor (FSDT) was so significant that activities were considerably paralyzed. These impacts were heavily felt through the slowdown of the transportation sector, the partial closure of businesses, and the disruption of public services in the railway capital.

The situation on the ground is affecting, among other things, the road network. The transport sector is one of the hardest hit in the city. Bus, "Ndiaga Ndiaye" minibus, and intercity taxi traffic has decreased significantly, with serious consequences. Many passengers are stranded at the various bus stations in Thiès (particularly the one at the city's entrance) due to a lack of vehicles to reach Dakar or other regions.

The economic and commercial sectors are also affected. As the general strike call is interprofessional, many traders in Thiès' major markets have chosen to keep their stalls closed, either out of fear of unrest or in solidarity with the demands. The informal sector is severely impacted. Daily activities have slowed to a crawl, severely affecting small businesses, food stalls, and the local economy.

Municipal services, regional inspectorates, and other public administrations are operating with a minimum service. Justice workers, for their part, have largely heeded the call to strike from organizations such as the Union of Justice Workers (SYTJUST). They all reiterate the reasons for this strike, which they say follows the breakdown of negotiations between the government and the major labor unions on several points of contention.

Among the main demands behind the movement are: "job protection against unfair dismissals; increased purchasing power and the fight against the high cost of living; and consultation on draft reforms to the Labor Code and the Social Security Code." Many residents of Thiès agree that "this call for a general strike, observed by the main labor unions in Senegal for Friday, July 10, 2026, comes at a particularly difficult time, marked by a profound deterioration of the country's economic and social situation."

They refer to the "legitimacy" of the general strike by the trade union federations, denounce a "questioning of social gains" and consider that this situation is the result of two years of management of power by the PASTEF regime, which they accuse of having multiplied erroneous choices, unfulfilled promises and decisions deemed unfavorable to workers.