Regulation of Work in Africa

This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong.
====== São Tomé and Príncipe ======

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

==== INSTITUTIONS AND STAKEHOLDER DATABASE – São Tomé and Príncipe ====

REC MEMBERSHIP – ECCAS

----

==== Governance Indicators ====

[[https://iiag.online/locations/st.html|São Tomé and Príncipe Ibrahim Index of African Governance (IIAG)]]

Overall Governance score: 59.2 (/100)  
Rank: 12th (out of 54 countries)

----

==== Population Size and Size of the Informal Economy ====

The population of São Tomé and Príncipe is estimated to be approximately **235,000 people as of 2025**, based on United Nations population data.

The informal economy constitutes a significant share of employment and economic activity. Estimates suggest that **over 60% of employment occurs in the informal economy**, particularly in agriculture, small-scale trade, fisheries, and service activities.

----

==== Nature of the Legal System and ILO Status ====

The legal system of São Tomé and Príncipe is based primarily on **Portuguese civil law traditions**, reflecting the country’s colonial legal heritage. The legal system is codified and incorporates elements of international law and regional agreements.

São Tomé and Príncipe has been a **member of the International Labour Organization (ILO) since 1982**.

Through its membership in the ILO, the country participates in international labour standards relating to:

  * workers’ rights
  * decent work
  * labour inspection
  * social protection
  * occupational safety and health.

----

==== Workers’ Rights in the Human Rights System, National Labour Law and Social Protection ====

The Constitution of São Tomé and Príncipe guarantees fundamental labour rights including:

  * freedom of association
  * the right to form and join trade unions
  * the right to strike
  * protection against forced labour
  * protection against discrimination in employment.

National labour legislation establishes minimum standards relating to:

  * working hours
  * wages
  * occupational health and safety
  * social security coverage.

However, enforcement capacity remains limited and a substantial portion of the workforce operates within the informal economy, particularly in rural areas and the fisheries and agricultural sectors.

Social protection programmes are developing gradually, with increasing emphasis on extending coverage to vulnerable populations and workers outside the formal labour market.

----

==== Existing Laws, Regulatory, Policy or Institutional Initiatives Protecting Workers in the Informal Economy ====

See sector-specific regulation below.

----

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

Further analysis is provided in the sector pages below:

  * [[domestic_work|Domestic Work Sector]]
  * [[street_vendors|Street Vendors]]
  * [[waste_reclaiming|Waste Reclaiming]]
  * [[home_work|Home Working]]
  * [[gig_economy|Gig Work and the Platform Economy]]
  * [[farm_work|Farm Work]]
  * [[artisanal_mining|The Mining Sector and Artisanal Mining]]
  * [[taxi_transport|Taxi and Transport Sector (Gig-work/platform economy overlap)]]
  * [[cross_border_trade|Cross-Border Informal Trade]]