Sénégal: Réforme Code Sécurité Sociale CIPRES Achevée

• Minister Mamadou Lamine Dianté reported that 42% of social pact commitments are complete, with a projected 71% by December.
• The new social stability pact, signed in 2025, saw two general strikes, unlike the 2014 pact which had none.
• The reform of the social security code has been completed, driven by CIPRES, and will reduce the administrative council from 22 to 14 members.
• Implementing texts for the social security code are now in effect or under development following its promulgation and publication.
• Teacher unions are demanding resolution for delayed housing allowances, taxation disputes on retroactive payments, and a revised remuneration system.

The Minister elaborated on the structural adjustments necessitated by the transposition of the legal framework established by the Conférence Interafricaine de la Prévoyance Sociale (CIPRES).

Mamadou Lamine Dianté, the Minister of Public Service, Labor, and Public Service Reform, recently provided an update on the government's engagement with workers during a visit to Diourbel. The Minister emphasized the critical need for constructive dialogue that culminates in tangible solutions addressing the concerns of the workforce. His statements, as reported by APS, underscored the administration's commitment to fostering stable labor relations.

Minister Dianté referenced the current social stability pact, which was formally established in 2025. This agreement was signed by the State, employers' organizations, and trade union federations. Notably, 2025 also saw the occurrence of two general strikes, a stark contrast to the previous pact signed in 2014, which recorded no such industrial actions. The Governor of Diourbel, Ibrahima Fall, along with various social stakeholders, were present during the Minister's address, highlighting the broad interest in these discussions.

An interim assessment conducted on October 19 revealed that 35 out of 84 planned activities under the pact have been successfully completed, representing a 42% execution rate. Furthermore, an additional 25 activities are currently underway. Should these ongoing initiatives reach completion, the overall realization rate for the pact's commitments is projected to increase significantly, reaching 71%. The Minister noted that the government's specific commitments under the pact currently stand at a 42% execution rate, with an anticipated rise to 71% by December. He attributed observed delays in certain commitments to prevailing budgetary and technical constraints.

Among the key topics addressed during the discussions was the reform of the social security code, a critical legislative undertaking that has since been completed. The Minister elaborated on the structural adjustments necessitated by the transposition of the legal framework established by the Conférence Interafricaine de la Prévoyance Sociale (CIPRES). This integration of CIPRES provisions into national law is driving significant changes to the governance of social security institutions.

Specifically, the proposed reforms entail the elimination of the college of representatives within the administrative council. Concurrently, the size of the administrative council itself is slated for reduction, transitioning from its current 22 members to a more streamlined body of 14.

The legislative process for these reforms has been completed with the promulgation and publication of the new Social Security Code, and implementing texts would now be in effect or under development following its entry into force. The Consultative Council of Labor and Social Security would have engaged in thorough discussions regarding the proposed regulations before their final adoption, ensuring stakeholder input and careful consideration of their implications.

Despite progress on the social pact, several challenges persist, particularly concerning the demands of various social partners. Minister Dianté acknowledged that budgetary limitations and technical hurdles have contributed to the delays observed in fulfilling certain governmental commitments outlined in the pact. These constraints underscore the complexities involved in implementing broad social agreements.

Teacher unions, a significant stakeholder group, have voiced specific grievances that remain unresolved. Their primary concerns include persistent delays in the disbursement of housing allowances, ongoing disputes regarding the taxation of retroactive payments, and a call for a comprehensive revision of the existing remuneration system. These issues highlight areas where further dialogue and concrete action are required to address worker dissatisfaction.

In a related development, the delegation also conducted a visit to the Regional Inspectorate of Labor and Social Protection. During this visit, a clear need for updated IT equipment was identified, indicating a requirement for modernization to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the Inspectorate's operations. Furthermore, the possibility of constructing a dedicated meeting room for this facility is being considered, potentially funded through the 2027 budget, to improve its functional capacity.

Source: Original reporting via APS