• CEN-SAD
• ECCAS
• OHADA

Central African Republic Ibrahim Index of African Governance (IIAG)

• Overall Governance score: 31.5 (/100)
• Rank: 49th (out of 54 countries)

The current population of the Central African Republic is 5,507,773 (26 June 2025) based on Worldometer’s elaboration of the latest United Nations data.

The size of the Central African Republic's informal economy is estimated to be 47.6% of GDP, representing approximately $3 billion at GDP PPP levels.

The Central African Republic has been a member of the International Labour Organization (ILO) since 1960.

The country participates in the Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP).

The DWCP aims to improve working conditions and promote opportunities for productive and fair employment. The programme is developed in collaboration with national stakeholders including the government, employers' and workers' organisations and aligns with national development priorities and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

In the Central African Republic, while the law protects workers' rights, implementation faces challenges due to persistent human rights issues and armed conflict.

The country's human rights system continues to face obstacles in ensuring access to justice, particularly in conflict-affected areas.

The CAR labour law and social protection framework are primarily governed by:

• Labour Code (Act No. 09.004)
• Social Security Code (Act No. 06.035 of 28 December 2006)

Social protection is administered by the National Social Security Fund (CNSS).

The legal framework provides for:

• fair wages
• regulated working hours
• employment protection
• safe working conditions
• maternity benefits
• family allowances
• temporary disability benefits

See sector-specific regulation below.

In the Central African Republic (CAR), domestic workers are entitled to certain legal protections, though specific legislation focused solely on domestic work may be limited. The general labour laws, which include provisions on working hours, rest periods, leave and termination, apply to domestic workers.

• Labour Code (Act No. 09.004)

• Domestic workers are entitled to weekly rest, paid annual leave of at least 21 days, sick leave with pay and maternity leave. (Arts. 280–290)

• The Labour Code sets limits on working hours for all employees, including domestic workers.

• Standard work week: 45 hours
• Daily hours: 8 hours for a 6-day week
• Daily hours: 9 hours for a 5-day week

    (Arts. 247–249)

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While there is no specific legislation regulating street vendors in the Central African Republic, several regulatory frameworks indirectly affect their activities.

• Regulations relating to trade and business licensing
• Public order regulations
• Child labour legislation
• Local municipal ordinances

The legal system, including constitutional rights and local administrative measures, may therefore be used to regulate or protect street vending activities.

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The Central African Republic does not have specific legislation focused solely on waste reclaimers. However, environmental and waste management laws indirectly address their activities within the broader waste management framework.

Relevant legal and policy instruments include:

• National Waste Management Strategy (NWMS)

The NWMS aims to achieve national waste management objectives and promotes a holistic approach to waste management, indirectly involving reclaimers in collection, sorting and recycling activities.

• Forestry Code (Act No. 08.222)

Although primarily regulating forest resources, the Code addresses environmental conservation and sustainable development, which indirectly relates to waste management and the role of reclaimers in protecting natural resources.

• Environmental Code and Hygiene Code

These codes establish responsible waste management practices and create a regulatory framework that may involve informal waste actors.

• Initiatives by the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development

The Ministry coordinates the environmentally sound management of biomedical and pharmaceutical waste and has begun appointing officials nationwide to assess waste management risks. These initiatives indicate growing awareness of waste management challenges and may contribute to future recognition or formalisation of waste reclaimers.

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