Le rond-point de Keur Massar : Un marché noir de l’emploi informel pour les ouvriers du BTP
Every morning, the Keur Massar roundabout transforms into a veritable informal job market, gathering a crowd of construction and public works (BTP) workers of all trades and ages, hoping to land a day's work on a construction site. Tilers, masons, steel fixers, electricians, and BTP technicians, from various neighborhoods of Dakar, converge on this place, which has become the essential meeting point for the workforce.
In an indescribable noise punctuated by the horns of vehicles and motorcycles, these workers, recognizable by their construction equipment (shovels, picks, trowels, hammers, among others), patiently await the arrival of contractors or site managers to be recruited.
On this Friday morning, the Keur Massar roundabout is overflowing with people. The surrounding area is thronged with a large crowd. While some are hurrying to get to work or into town, others are walking along the sidewalks, bags slung over their shoulders and tools in hand, giving the impression of waiting for a bus. In reality, they are workers looking for an employer.
Precariousness and disregard for working conditions
When asked about his daily presence, Modou Diop, a tiler in his thirties, testifies to the precariousness: "I come here every day as a tiler to look for work. Sometimes I am hired but there are days when it doesn't work. I can go two or three days without work. It's shameful to be here, but we have no choice," he confides.
A master mason, for his part, laments the negative impact of subcontracting: "Workers are not respected in Senegal, and yet it is we who are behind all these beautiful constructions," he regrets.
Fallou, addressing the same issue, denounces a lack of consideration despite prices deemed ridiculously low. "Some bosses don't take us seriously because they find us here (at the Keur Massar roundabout). Sometimes even in the event of a work accident, you don't receive your benefits," he explains, while specifying that the pay varies between 3,500 and 7,000 FCFA depending on the quality of the work.
Unfair competition and discrimination
Competition is exacerbated by other factors. A young man, who has frequented the site since 2017, states: "We are often victims of discrimination on construction sites."
He points out: "Employers sometimes prefer to hire foreigners, often from other African countries, at lower wages." This "unfair competition" jeopardizes the rights of Senegalese workers, forcing them to accept often degrading working conditions.
When asked about the choice of Keur Massar as a meeting place for workers, he replied: "It's a traditional meeting place, visible and accessible at the same time. The roundabout has become an informal recruitment network, a job market for workers."
Despite the precariousness and uncertainty, these workers remain determined, making this roundabout a symbol of the search for employment and resilience in the construction sector. However, they face major problems, such as exploitation, difficult working conditions, and low wages. Government intervention to create dedicated employment agencies or recruitment platforms could help secure and balance this market.
Commentaires (4)
La meme situation de bit ici aux USA ou des ouvriers en majority Latino investissent Les rues ou devantures de certain magazines de materiaux a la recherche dune journee de travay.La vie est difficile partout maintenant meme en Occident
Hypocrite, tu ne disais pas ça quand ton gourou était dans l'opposition.
Pendant qu'ils crèvent de faim, leur GOUROU se promène dans le monde en jet privé et bouffe plus de 9 milliards de caisse noire , les pauvres!
Les forces de l’ordre ne devraient en aucun cas tolérer que ces personnes s’installent à cet endroit.
Il n’est ni approprié ni raisonnable que ses soit disant ouvriers restent debout durant des heures face à des attroupements immobiles.
La circulation doit être assurée en permanence, et les forces de sécurité doivent faire preuve de fermeté, quelles que soient les circonstances.
S’ils souhaitent réellement travailler, ils doivent se rendre sur les chantiers.
La zone de Keur Massar étant déjà saturée, il serait plus indiqué qu’ils se dirigent vers Tivaouane Peulh, Niague, Niakhirate, Sangalkam, Mbambilor,Gorom Keur Ndiaye Lo et d’autres localités où des opportunités existent.
C'est l'échec total du régime Pasteef qui avait promis Monts et Merveilles mais qui ne sait même pas par où commencer depuis qu'il est au pouvoir. Ai lieu de trouver des solutions au chômage des jeunes, leurs leaders se mettent en spectacle pour 2029 oubliant leurs promesses.
Ils sont tout simplement lâches...
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