Session de négociations Gouvernement-Partenaires sociaux : Des avancées enregistrées

On Tuesday, April 26, 2022, at the Marina Palace, under the leadership of President Patrice Talon, discussions regarding salary increases were held between the Government, employers' organizations (CNP and CONEB), and representatives of the three most representative trade union federations and confederations following the national professional elections (CSTB, COSI-Benin, and CSA-Benin). Beginning the session with an overview of the socioeconomic situation resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, and more specifically the Russo-Ukrainian conflict affecting the global economy, President Talon invited his interlocutors to consider the following concerns during the discussions: 1- What could be the level of the minimum wage increase today? 2- Is it appropriate to maintain the principle of subsequent salary hierarchy, or should it be abandoned? 3- What portion of the available resources allocated by the Government should be dedicated to increasing workers' wages? The entire amount? Or should a portion be directed towards recruiting public sector employees to help combat youth unemployment? 4- Could another portion of these resources not be used to optimize the functioning of social service structures such as education, healthcare, and security? After six hours of discussions, significant progress was made. For example, on the issue of raising the minimum wage (SMIG), the session resulted in a consensus on a 30% increase, raising it from 40,000 FCFA to 52,000 FCFA. Furthermore, it should be noted that, in support of this increase, employers will be required to take out health insurance policies for low-income workers. In connection with the increase in the minimum wage (SMIG), the appropriateness of maintaining the principle of the subsequent salary hierarchy that usually follows from it was discussed. The President of the Republic outlined the Government's option of fostering a dynamic favorable to job creation, particularly in the private sector. This option does not allow the Government to intervene in regulating salaries within the private sector. Therefore, at the end of the discussions, the decision was made to abandon this principle. Furthermore, discussions focused on salary increases in the public sector. Following these discussions, the Government and union leaders agreed on the principle of allocating funds for this purpose, taking into account other State priorities such as the large-scale recruitment of young people to reduce unemployment and improving the situation of certain groups, such as aspiring teachers. Specifically regarding the salary increase, an overall increase in the total payroll will be defined to impact the index point, thus taking into account both active and retired employees. Within this overall budget, a differentiated increase will then be implemented based on salary levels. This approach aims, in the interest of social justice, to further improve lower wages. Following this round of discussions, everything is now in place for the salary increase to take effect this year, 2022, in accordance with the Government's announcement. The parties will meet again as needed to continue the discussions.