Sénégal: Nouveau Code du Travail Propose 18 Semaines de Congé Maternité

• Sénégal's proposed new Labor Code, under review since August 18, 2026, includes an extension of maternity leave from 14 to 18 weeks.
• Article 277 of the draft code details this maternity leave expansion, which is presented as a key outcome of May 2026 worker demands.
• The code also extends breastfeeding leave to 20 months, providing one hour per day, up from the current 15 months.
• New provisions introduce a framework for telework, a right to disconnect, and explicit prohibitions against workplace discrimination, violence, and harassment.
• While some groups like RENAFETS support the reforms, a segment of trade unions, including the Front Syndical pour la Défense du Travail, opposes the current legislative process, citing a lack of prior union review.

The **Sénégal nouveau Code du travail congé maternité** also introduces an expanded framework for breastfeeding.

During a plenary session on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, Senegal's National Assembly began examining a proposed new Labor Code, a legislative effort that includes significant updates to worker protections. Mamadou Lamine Dianté, the Minister of Public Service, Labor, and Public Service Reform, announced a notable expansion of maternity leave provisions. This key change, detailed in article 277 of the draft text, would increase the duration of maternity leave from the current 14 weeks to 18 weeks, marking a substantial enhancement for working mothers in Sénégal.

Beyond the extended maternity leave, the **Sénégal nouveau Code du travail congé maternité** also introduces an expanded framework for breastfeeding. The proposed legislation would extend the period for breastfeeding breaks from 15 months to 20 months, allowing mothers one hour per day for this purpose. These provisions are presented as critical advancements stemming from worker demands made on May 1, 2026, reflecting a broader commitment to strengthening social protections within the Senegalese workforce.

The comprehensive **Sénégal réforme droit du travail** extends beyond maternity and breastfeeding, addressing several contemporary employment issues. The **projet Code du travail Sénégal article 277** is just one component of a wider package that includes the establishment of a formal framework for telework, acknowledging evolving work modalities. Furthermore, the draft code introduces a **Sénégal droit à la déconnexion**, granting employees the right to disengage from work-related communications outside of working hours.

Crucially, the proposed code also contains robust provisions aimed at combating workplace misconduct. It explicitly prohibits violence, harassment, and various forms of discrimination at work. Specifically, the new code mandates against **Sénégal discrimination travail** in critical areas such as hiring practices, remuneration, opportunities for promotion, access to training, and the termination of employment contracts. These measures build upon existing protections, as maternity protection had already been reinforced through laws enacted in 2022.

The legislative initiative has garnered varied reactions from stakeholders. According to reports from senenews, the National Network of Women in the Public and Parapublic Sector (RENAFETS) has publicly commended the authorities for their commitment to these reforms, attributing the decision to President Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye. Minister Dianté, in defending the proposed changes, characterized them as a carefully balanced compromise designed to enhance social protection without undermining the nation's economic competitiveness.

However, not all labor organizations are in agreement with the current trajectory of the reform. A faction of trade unions has expressed strong opposition, with the Front Syndical pour la Défense du Travail (Trade Union Front for the Defense of Labor) demanding an immediate halt to the examination of the code by the National Assembly. Their primary grievance centers on the assertion that the legislative texts were forwarded for review without prior re-reading by central trade unions, despite earlier discussions having taken place within the Consultative Council of Labor and Social Security.

Lawyers and compliance officers should closely monitor the legislative progress of Senegal's proposed new Labor Code, particularly the expanded maternity leave, breastfeeding provisions, and new telework framework. Employers should begin assessing the potential impact on HR policies and prepare for future compliance obligations once the code is enacted.

Source: Original reporting via senenews