Regulation of Work in Africa

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====== Côte d’Ivoire ======

**Region:** Western Africa  
**Regional Economic Communities (REC):** CEN-SAD · ECOWAS · OHADA  

→ [[https://iiag.online/locations/ci.html|View IIAG Country Statistics]]

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^ Indicator ^ Data ^
| **Governance (IIAG)** | Overall Governance score: 56.7 / 100 · Rank: 16th / 54 |

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===== PART 1 – HIGH-LEVEL COUNTRY MAPPING =====

==== Institutions and Stakeholder Database ====
(To be linked)

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==== REC Membership ====

  * CEN-SAD
  * ECOWAS
  * OHADA

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

The population of Côte d’Ivoire is estimated at approximately **33.1 million (2026)**.  

The informal economy is substantial:

  * Estimated **36.6%–42% of GDP**  
  * Up to **80–90% of employment**  

It plays a critical role in:

  * Urban livelihoods  
  * Small-scale trade  
  * Service provision  

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

Côte d’Ivoire operates a **civil law system**, influenced by French legal traditions and OHADA regional law.

Côte d’Ivoire has been a member of the **International Labour Organization (ILO) since 1960**.

The **Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP)** focuses on:

  * Employment creation  
  * Social protection  
  * Labour rights  
  * Social dialogue  

Priority areas include:

  * Youth employment  
  * Informal economy integration  
  * Child labour (notably in cocoa sector)  
  * Labour migration governance  

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

Côte d’Ivoire is undergoing a **transition toward an inclusive social protection system**.

The system is structured around three pillars:

**1. Social Insurance (Contributory)**  
  * Managed by IPS-CNPS (private sector)  
  * IPS-CGRAE (public sector)  
  * Covers pensions and workplace injuries  

**2. Social Assistance (Non-contributory)**  
  * Cash transfers  
  * Food-for-work programmes  

**3. Universal Health Coverage (CMU)**  
  * Established in 2014  
  * Includes:
    * Contributory scheme (RGB)  
    * Non-contributory scheme (RAM)  

Coverage:

  * ~62% of the population  

**National Social Protection Strategy (2024–2028)** aims to:

  * Reduce poverty  
  * Expand informal sector coverage  
  * Strengthen rural inclusion  

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

Côte d’Ivoire combines:

  * Labour law frameworks  
  * Social protection expansion  
  * Sectoral formalisation initiatives  

However:

  * Informality remains structurally embedded  
  * Enforcement is uneven  

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

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==== Domestic Work Sector ====

**Labour Code (Law No. 2015-532 of 20 July 2015)**

  * Applies generally to domestic workers  

**Key regulatory elements:**

  * Weekly rest entitlement (Art. 24-1)  
  * Paid leave (Art. 25)  
  * CNPS registration requirement  

**Decree No. 96-203 (Working Hours)**  
  * Allows **56-hour workweek** for domestic workers  

**Decree No. 96-209 (Employer Obligations)**  
  * Requires employer registration with CNPS  

**Note:**  
A 2014 Bill aimed at regulating domestic work exists but its adoption status remains unclear.

**Reality:**  
  * Sector remains largely informal  
  * Weak enforcement  

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==== Street Vendor ====

Regulatory framework characterised by:

  * Formal recognition + restrictive enforcement  

**Key instruments:**

  * Legislative Ordinance No. 79-021 (1979)  
  * Interdivisional Order No. 0029/80 (1980)  
  * Law No. 2016-412 (Consumer Protection)  

**Key features:**

  * Licensing requirements  
  * Municipal by-laws governing space use  
  * Hygiene and product standards  

**Reality:**

  * Harassment and evictions common  
  * Informality persists despite regulation  

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==== Waste Reclaiming ====

Legal framework:

  * Environmental protection laws  
  * Waste regulation policies  

However:

  * No dedicated framework for waste pickers  
  * Workers operate informally in hazardous conditions  

Emerging developments:

  * Circular economy initiatives  
  * IFC-supported programmes  
  * Judicial recognition of environmental rights  

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==== Home working ====

**Ordinance No. 2021-902**

  * Recognises telework  

Key provisions:

  * Employer must provide equipment  
  * Telecom costs may be covered  
  * Conditions defined via agreements  

General labour rules still apply:

  * 40-hour workweek  
  * Adapted for remote work  

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==== Gig Work and the Platform Economy ====

No dedicated gig economy law.

Workers generally classified as **independent contractors**.

**Key framework:**

**Ordinance No. 2019-636 (Self-employed Social Security)**

  * Establishes compulsory scheme  
  * Covers:
    * Illness  
    * Maternity  
    * Old age  

**Decree No. 2020-308**

  * Governs operation of scheme  

**Craft Industry Law (2014)**

  * Confirms independence (no subordination)  

**Implication:**

  * Inclusion via **social protection**  
  * Exclusion from **labour law protections**  

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==== Farm Work ====

Governed by Labour Code and sector regulations.

**Key features:**

  * Agricultural minimum wage (**SMAG**)  
  * Working time:
    * Up to 48 hours/week  
    * ~2400 hours/year  

  * Overtime regulation  
  * Written contracts recommended  

**Critical issues:**

  * Child labour (cocoa sector)  
  * Informality  
  * Land tenure insecurity  

**Legal frameworks:**

  * 1998 Rural Land Law  
  * Agricultural Guidance Law (2015)  

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==== The Mining Sector and Artisanal Mining ====

**Mining Code (Act No. 2014-138 of 24 March 2014)**

  * Regulates all mining activities  
  * Requires licensing  

**Supporting instruments:**

  * Decree No. 2014-397  
  * Order No. 002/MIM/CAB (2016)  
  * UEMOA Mining Regulation (2023)  

**Key issue:**

  * Difficulty integrating artisanal miners  

Recent developments:

  * 2022 ASM formalisation policy  
  * World Bank-supported initiatives  

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==== Taxi and Transport Sector (Gig-work/platform economy overlap) ====

Regulated through:

  * Licensing systems  
  * Vehicle standards  
  * Municipal oversight  

Includes:

  * Taxi-motos  
  * VTC (ride-hailing services)  

Challenges:

  * Informal operators  
  * Regulatory gaps  
  * Safety concerns  

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

Highly significant but weakly regulated.

Key characteristics:

  * Operates outside formal customs systems  
  * Driven by:
    * Complex regulations  
    * Trade barriers  

Current direction:

  * AfCFTA-driven formalisation  
  * Simplified Trade Regimes (STRs)  
  * Recognition of role in:
    * Food security  
    * Poverty reduction  

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===== Sources / Links =====

  * IIAG – Côte d’Ivoire: https://iiag.online/locations/ci.html  
  * Labour Code (2015)  
  * Mining Code (2014)  
  * National Social Protection Strategy (2024–2028)  
  * Ordinance No. 2019-636 (Self-employed social security)