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

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• CEN-SAD
• ECOWAS
• OHADA

Benin’s population is estimated at approximately 14.5 million (2024).

The informal economy dominates the labour market:

• Approximately 90% of the workforce is engaged in informal employment
• Estimated 12.3 million informal workers

Benin is a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, and multi-religious society with a legal system influenced by:

• Civil law traditions
• Regional OHADA frameworks

Benin has ratified 32 ILO Conventions, including:

• 8 fundamental Conventions
• 2 governance Conventions
• 22 technical Conventions

It ratified the Social Security Convention (C102) in 2019.

As a member of OHADA, Benin participates in regional harmonisation of business and labour regulation, including efforts to facilitate transition from informal to formal economic activity.

However, implementation and enforcement challenges remain significant.

Workers’ rights are grounded in:

Constitution of the Republic of Benin (1990)

• Right to work
• Fair remuneration
• Social security
• Freedom of association
• Right to strike

Labour Code (1998)

• Regulates employment relationships
• Recognises collective bargaining
• Prohibits anti-union discrimination

General Collective Labour Agreement (2005)

Social Security Code (Act No. 98-019 of 2003)

• Establishes formal social protection
• Includes coverage pathways for:
  • Self-employed workers
  • Farmers
  • Informal economy workers

Despite this framework:

• Union activity is regulated and constrained
• Protection against anti-union discrimination is weak in practice

National Employment Policy (2020–2025)

• National framework for labour market development

Multi-actor Platform on Migration (PMB) – 2019

• Supports migrant workers (predominantly informal)

National Platform for Workers in the Informal Economy (UNAEIB) – 2020

• Collective representation of informal workers
• Policy advocacy and coordination

National Policy on the Informal Economy (2021)

• Aims to improve working and living conditions
• Limited formal recognition by the state

ARCH Programme (2019) (Insurance for Strengthening Human Capital)

• Targets informal economy actors
• Provides:
  • Health insurance
  • Credit
  • Skills training
  • Pension support

• By 2022:
  • ~900,000 beneficiaries enrolled
  • State subsidies up to 100% for poorest populations

This programme represents a significant attempt at social protection-led formalisation.

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Mining Code (Act No. 2006-17 of 17 October 2006)

• Governs:
  • Prospecting
  • Exploration
  • Exploitation
  • Processing and trade

• Applies across territory, EEZ and continental shelf (Art. 2)

Decree No. 2002-580 of 31 December 2002

• Regulates artisanal mining
• Requires:
  • Legal residence
  • Local company registration
  • Notification to Director of Mines (Art. 3)

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• IIAG – Benin: https://iiag.online/locations/bj.html
• Constitution of Benin (1990)
• Labour Code (1998)
• Social Security Code (2003)
• Mining Code (2006)

• Iftikhar Ahmad & Liberat Bigirimana, *Decent Work Check 2021: Benin*
• Danish Trade Union Development Agency, *Labour Market Profile of Benin*, 2024
• World Health Organization, *Benin – Towards Universal Health Coverage*, 2024
• Labour Market Profile Benin 2025/2026