Chad

REC MEMBERSHIP – CEN-SAD, ECCAS, OHADA

Chad Ibrahim Index of African Governance (IIAG)

Overall Governance score: 34.8 (/100) Rank: 47th (out of 54 countries)

The population of Chad is estimated to be 20,976,604 as of 26 June 2025. This is based on Worldometer's elaboration of the latest United Nations data.

The population represents 0.26% of the world's total population, and Chad ranks 64th in the list of countries by population.

The size of Chad's informal economy is estimated to be 41.1%, representing approximately $13,090.825 billion at official current GDP PPP levels.

Chad has been a member of the International Labour Organization (ILO) since 1960.

The Chad Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) is a framework developed by the ILO in collaboration with the government and social partners of Chad to promote decent and productive work within the country.

It serves as a roadmap for achieving national development goals related to:

• employment
• social protection
• social dialogue
• workers' rights

The DWCP is aligned with:

• Chad's national development plan
• the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework
• the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Chad's human rights system offers protections for workers' rights, but faces challenges in enforcement and implementation, particularly regarding:

• freedom of association
• collective bargaining
• the right to strike

While the law provides for these rights, restrictions and limitations exist, and the government's actions sometimes undermine these protections.

Chad's national labour law and social protection framework are undergoing significant development, with a focus on expanding coverage and strengthening social safety nets, particularly for vulnerable populations.

The National Social Protection Strategy (SNPS) 2022–2026 aims to establish a comprehensive and effective system.

This includes addressing:

• financial needs
• livelihood security
• risk management
• access to basic social services

The strategy also seeks to extend coverage to all residents, including refugees.

See sector-specific regulation below.

There is no specific law dedicated solely to domestic workers in Chad, but they are afforded protection under the general provisions of the Labour Code and laws addressing human trafficking.

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In Chad, street vending is regulated by various laws and ordinances aimed primarily at maintaining public order, hygiene and fair competition.

These regulations often involve:

• licensing requirements
• designated vending zones
• restrictions on obstructing public spaces

While these rules are intended to maintain a functional urban environment, they may also create challenges for street vendors who depend on this activity for their livelihoods.

• Act No. 001/PR/2003 relating to the General State Budget for 2003
  • The general withholding tax is payable by municipality and by business establishment.
  • Street vendors who can prove that they have paid the general withholding tax in their municipality of residence are no longer liable for tax in other municipalities for the same activity. (Art. 27(3))

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Chad's environmental protection laws emphasise principles of waste prevention, recovery and recycling.

Although the legislation does not specifically regulate waste reclaimers, these frameworks indirectly support their role in waste recovery and recycling.

Local regulations in cities such as N’Djamena also address solid waste management and may affect reclaimers’ activities.

Relevant legal instruments include:

• Constitution of 29 December 2024

• Act No. 014/PR/98 defining the general principles of environmental protection

• Decree No. 904/PR/PM/MERHM/2009 of 17 August 1998

regulating pollution and environmental nuisances

• Order No. 007/MCPI/SE/DC/DCE of 22 May 1993

prohibiting the import of non-biodegradable plastic packaging

• Order No. 104/M/SG/DVA/2012 of 23 April 2012

regulating solid waste management in the city of N’Djamena

• Order No. 105/M/SG/DVA/2012 of 23 April 2012

delimiting waste collection areas

• Order No. 106/M/SG/DVA/2012 of 23 April 2012

regulating internal rules of transfer centres

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Chad’s labour law does not specifically regulate remote work or homeworking as a separate legal category.

However, the general provisions of the Labour Code relating to employment contracts, working hours and employee rights apply equally to employees performing work remotely.

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Chad’s labour laws currently do not contain specific provisions regulating the gig economy or digital labour platforms.

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• Decree No. 69-318 of 7 November 1969

determining working hours and overtime regulations for farming and similar businesses

• In non-agricultural establishments, working hours may not exceed 39 hours per week.
• In agricultural establishments, working hours are limited to 2,400 hours per year. (Art. 2)

• Labour Code (Act No. 09.004)

• Overtime work in non-agricultural settings is limited to 94 hours per year. (Art. 248)

• In farming and similar businesses, the weekly working time is 48 hours, and hours worked beyond this threshold give rise to increased wages. (Art. 249)

• Workers, employees and apprentices in farming businesses are entitled to paid annual leave at the employer’s expense. (Art. 280)

• Farming and forestry businesses employing more than 100 employees must provide periodic medical examinations. (Art. 309)

• Employers must provide free medical care and food for workers admitted to a company or inter-company medical unit due to illness. (Art. 310)

• Decree No. 273/PR/MFPT/94 of 19 October 1994

raising the guaranteed inter-professional minimum wage (SMIG) and the guaranteed agricultural minimum wage (SMAG)

• Minimum wage laws differentiate between farming and non-farming workers. (Art. 1; see also Art. 226 of Labour Code)

• SMIG: 77.68 FCFA per hour / 13,465 FCFA per month for 173 1/3 hours

• SMAG: 64.97 FCFA per hour / 13,515 FCFA per month for 208 hours

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• Artisanal mining authorisations may only be granted to natural persons of Chadian nationality through an Order issued by the Minister responsible for Mines, following a recommendation from the Director responsible for Mines. (Arts. 177–178)

• Artisanal miners must sell the minerals extracted from their operations exclusively to authorised trading counters.

• Authorised trading counters are the only entities permitted to purchase, sell and export minerals extracted through artisanal mining activities. (Art. 189)

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• Order No. 020/MIT/SE/SG/DGTS/DITS/09 (August 2009)

regulating urban transport.

• Ministerial decrees regulate motorbike taxi activities, including:

• mandatory helmet use for riders and passengers
• limiting motorcycles to one passenger
• restrictions on operating in certain districts or sensitive areas
• colour identification requirements for motorbike taxis
• drivers must hold a certificate of competence

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(Content to be added once regulatory information is identified.)

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