Regulation of Work in Africa

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====== Central African Republic ======

===== HIGH-LEVEL COUNTRY MAPPING =====

===== INSTITUTIONS AND STAKEHOLDER DATABASE =====

==== REC MEMBERSHIP ====

  * CEN-SAD
  * ECCAS
  * OHADA

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==== Governance Indicators ====

[[https://mo.ibrahim.foundation/iiag|Central African Republic Ibrahim Index of African Governance (IIAG)]]

  * Overall Governance score: 31.5 (/100)
  * Rank: 49th (out of 54 countries)

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===== Population size and size of the informal economy =====

The current population of the Central African Republic is **5,507,773 (26 June 2025)** based on Worldometer’s elaboration of the latest United Nations data.

The size of the Central African Republic's informal economy is estimated to be **47.6% of GDP**, representing approximately **$3 billion at GDP PPP levels**.

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===== Nature of the legal system and ILO status =====

The Central African Republic has been a member of the **International Labour Organization (ILO)** since **1960**.

The country participates in the **Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP)**.

The DWCP aims to improve working conditions and promote opportunities for productive and fair employment. The programme is developed in collaboration with national stakeholders including the government, employers' and workers' organisations and aligns with national development priorities and the **UN Sustainable Development Goals**.

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===== Workers’ rights in human rights system, national labour law / social protection and scope of protection =====

In the Central African Republic, while the law protects workers' rights, implementation faces challenges due to persistent human rights issues and armed conflict.

The country's human rights system continues to face obstacles in ensuring access to justice, particularly in conflict-affected areas.

The CAR labour law and social protection framework are primarily governed by:

  * **Labour Code (Act No. 09.004)**
  * **Social Security Code (Act No. 06.035 of 28 December 2006)**

Social protection is administered by the **National Social Security Fund (CNSS)**.

The legal framework provides for:

  * fair wages
  * regulated working hours
  * employment protection
  * safe working conditions
  * maternity benefits
  * family allowances
  * temporary disability benefits

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===== Existing laws, policy and regulatory initiatives for the protection of workers in the informal economy =====

See sector-specific regulation below.

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====== PART 2 – SECTOR SPECIFIC REGULATION ======

==== Domestic Work Sector ====

In the Central African Republic (CAR), domestic workers are entitled to certain legal protections, though specific legislation focused solely on domestic work may be limited. The general labour laws, which include provisions on working hours, rest periods, leave and termination, apply to domestic workers.

  * Labour Code (Act No. 09.004)

    * Domestic workers are entitled to weekly rest, paid annual leave of at least 21 days, sick leave with pay and maternity leave. (Arts. 280–290)

    * The Labour Code sets limits on working hours for all employees, including domestic workers.

      * Standard work week: 45 hours
      * Daily hours: 8 hours for a 6-day week
      * Daily hours: 9 hours for a 5-day week

      (Arts. 247–249)

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==== Street Vendors ====

While there is no specific legislation regulating street vendors in the Central African Republic, several regulatory frameworks indirectly affect their activities.

  * Regulations relating to trade and business licensing
  * Public order regulations
  * Child labour legislation
  * Local municipal ordinances

The legal system, including constitutional rights and local administrative measures, may therefore be used to regulate or protect street vending activities.

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==== Waste Reclaiming ====

The Central African Republic does not have specific legislation focused solely on waste reclaimers. However, environmental and waste management laws indirectly address their activities within the broader waste management framework.

Relevant legal and policy instruments include:

  * **National Waste Management Strategy (NWMS)**  
    The NWMS aims to achieve national waste management objectives and promotes a holistic approach to waste management, indirectly involving reclaimers in collection, sorting and recycling activities.

  * **Forestry Code (Act No. 08.222)**  
    Although primarily regulating forest resources, the Code addresses environmental conservation and sustainable development, which indirectly relates to waste management and the role of reclaimers in protecting natural resources.

  * **Environmental Code and Hygiene Code**  
    These codes establish responsible waste management practices and create a regulatory framework that may involve informal waste actors.

  * **Initiatives by the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development**  
    The Ministry coordinates the environmentally sound management of biomedical and pharmaceutical waste and has begun appointing officials nationwide to assess waste management risks. These initiatives indicate growing awareness of waste management challenges and may contribute to future recognition or formalisation of waste reclaimers.

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==== Home Working ====

The Central African Republic (CAR) does not have specific laws dedicated to remote work or work-from-home arrangements. However, the general labour laws contained in the Labour Code apply to employees regardless of whether they work on-site or remotely. These provisions regulate employment contracts, working hours, minimum wages and part-time work.

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==== Gig Work and Platform Economy (“Self-Employed” Workers) ====

The Central African Republic currently lacks specific legislation addressing the gig economy or platform work. This regulatory gap exists despite the increasing presence of digital labour platforms and the potential opportunities and challenges associated with this form of work.

  * **Social Security Code (Act No. 06.035 of 28 December 2006)**  
    * Introduces a special social security scheme for self-employed workers, farm workers and workers in the informal sector. (Art. 1)  
    * The following are subject to this law: permanent, short-term and contract employees of public, private and semi-public entities. (Art. 5)

  * **Decree No. 09.116** implementing the Social Security Code  
    * Self-employed persons compulsorily covered by the social security scheme include:
      * drivers of vehicles or equipment subject to transport tariffs, whether or not they own their vehicle
      * collectors of precious stones
      * craftsmen
      * grocers
      * street vendors  
      (Art. 5)

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==== Farm Work ====

In the Central African Republic, farm work is primarily governed by the Labour Code, which includes provisions for agricultural and related establishments.

  * Agricultural workers follow a **48-hour standard work week**, which is longer than the 40-hour standard in other sectors to accommodate the nature of agricultural work.

  * Workers are entitled to **at least 24 hours of weekly rest**.

  * **Overtime pay** applies for hours worked beyond the standard 48-hour work week, with higher premiums for night work and work performed on rest days or public holidays.

  * The Labour Code also includes provisions protecting **working mothers**, including the possibility of arranging nursing breaks.

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==== Mining and Artisanal Mining ====

  * **Artisanal mining** refers to activities carried out by individuals of Central African origin involving the extraction and concentration of minerals using non-industrial, manual or semi-mechanised tools, methods and processes in artisanal mining areas defined by their surface area and depth of up to thirty metres. (Art. 1)

  * **Artisanal miner** refers to an individual of Central African origin authorised to carry out artisanal or semi-mechanised mining activities on their own behalf. (Art. 1)

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==== Taxi and Transport Sector ====

The Central African Republic does not have detailed legislation specifically regulating the taxi and transport sector.

Instead, regulatory oversight is generally provided through broader laws governing:

  * transportation
  * public safety
  * commercial activities

These regulations may include vehicle and driver licensing requirements, road safety rules and operational guidelines for commercial transport services.

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==== Cross-Border Informal Trade ====

In the Central African Republic, cross-border informal trade (ICBT) lacks a comprehensive legal framework. It is often associated with challenges including lack of transparency, corruption and exploitation, particularly affecting women traders.

Despite these challenges, ICBT remains an important source of income and food security for many households, especially in fragile contexts. However, the absence of clear regulations and effective enforcement mechanisms limits its potential contribution to economic development.

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