Senegal

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

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(To be linked)

• ECOWAS
• CEN-SAD
• OHADA

The current population of Senegal is approximately 19,159,977.

The informal economy is estimated at 36.6% of GDP, representing a significant component of employment and livelihoods, particularly in urban informal trade, agriculture, and services. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

Senegal operates a civil law system influenced by French legal traditions.

Senegal has been a member of the International Labour Organization (ILO) since 1960 and implements a Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) aligned with national development strategies such as the *Plan Sénégal Émergent (PSE)*.

The DWCP focuses on employment creation, expansion of social protection, promotion of labour rights, and strengthening social dialogue, with emphasis on youth and women’s employment and green economy initiatives.

Workers’ rights are recognised through:

• The Constitution of Senegal
• The Labour Code (1997)

Core protections include:

• Freedom of association and collective bargaining
• Protection against discrimination
• Right to strike (subject to limitations)
• Occupational safety and health protections

The Labour Code regulates:

• Employment contracts (fixed-term and indefinite)
• Working hours (40-hour week)
• Minimum wage
• Leave, termination and overtime

Social protection combines social insurance (formal sector) and social assistance programmes, but coverage remains limited (less than a quarter of the population), particularly for informal workers.

Senegal has adopted policy approaches aimed at:

• Expanding social protection coverage
• Supporting informal sector livelihoods
• Promoting labour-intensive development
• Integrating informal workers into formal systems

Ministerial Order No. 974 M.F.P.T./D.T.S.S. of 23 January 1968 (as amended by Orders of 1972 and 1975)

• Establishes general conditions of employment for domestic workers
• Provides for:
  • Severance pay (Art. 5)
  • Seniority bonus (Art. 6)

Law No. 67–50 of 29 November 1967

• Provides a framework for regulating activities in public spaces

Decree No. 76-018 of 16 January 1976

• Prohibits itinerant vending
• Allows stall-based vending (merchands tablier)

Street vending is also regulated through:

• Building regulations
• Health and safety rules
• Environmental standards
• Municipal licensing

Further detail: https://www.wiego.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Nyemb_Marchiori_Law_Shield_Street_Vendors_Africa_WIEGO_LB4_2019-0.pdf

Waste reclaiming operates largely within the informal economy.

Recent developments include:

• Movement toward circular economy policies
• Recognition of informal waste pickers (e.g., Mbeubeuss landfill)
• Inclusion initiatives linked to landfill upgrades

These workers generally lack formal contracts and social protection, although policy efforts aim to improve integration.

Senegal does not have specific legislation governing home working.

• ILO Convention 177 has not been ratified
• Remote work is governed through:
  • Employment contracts
  • General Labour Code provisions

The gig economy is expanding but lacks a dedicated legal framework.

Key issues include:

• Worker classification challenges
• Limited access to social protection
• Ongoing policy discussions regarding regulation and rights

Farm work is governed under the Labour Code and agricultural policy frameworks.

• Includes minimum wage provisions (higher for agricultural workers)
• Requires contracts for certain employment relationships
• Regulates working conditions

Policy context includes land reform and agricultural development under the Plan Sénégal Émergent.

Mining Code (Law No. 2016-32 of 8 November 2016) Implementing Decree (2017)

• Regulates industrial and artisanal mining
• Introduces permits for artisanal and small-scale mining
• Establishes environmental and local content requirements

Decree No. 2024-847

• Regulates ride-hailing platforms (VTCs)

Key requirements include:

• Platform authorisation
• 51% Senegalese ownership
• Driver licensing and training
• Vehicle standards and geolocation

Additional regulation applies to traditional taxis and transport operators.

Cross-border trade operates within:

• ECOWAS frameworks
• WAEMU frameworks
• AfCFTA

Key features include:

• Complex customs procedures
• High transaction costs
• Continued reliance on informal trade routes

• IIAG – Senegal: https://iiag.online/locations/sn.html
• ILO – Decent Work Country Programme (Senegal)
• Labour Code (1997)
• Mining Code (2016)
• WIEGO – Street Vendors Legal Framework
• Worldometer / UN Population Data :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}