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

(To be linked)

• ECOWAS
• CEN-SAD
• OHADA

The current population of Senegal is approximately 19.1 million.

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.

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
• Working hours (40-hour week)
• Minimum wage
• Leave and termination

Social protection combines social insurance and assistance but covers less than a quarter of the population, with limited reach into the informal economy.

Senegal has adopted policy approaches aimed at:

• Expanding social protection
• Supporting informal sector livelihoods
• Promoting labour-intensive development

Ministerial Order No. 974 (1968) (as amended in 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 (1967)

• Provides a framework for regulating trading in public spaces

Decree No. 76-018 (1976)

• Prohibits itinerant vending
• Allows fixed stall-based vending

Street vendors are also subject to building, health, safety, environmental, and municipal regulations.

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 in the informal economy.

Policy developments include:

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

Senegal does not have specific legislation governing home working.

• Not a party to ILO Convention 177
• Remote work governed through employment contracts and general Labour Code provisions

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

Key issues include:

• Worker classification challenges
• Limited social protection
• Ongoing policy discussions on regulation

Farm work is governed under the Labour Code.

• Includes minimum wage provisions
• Regulates contracts and working conditions

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

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

• Regulates both 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
• Requires:
  • Authorisation
  • Majority Senegalese ownership (51%)
  • Driver licensing and training
  • Vehicle standards

Additional regulation applies to traditional taxis and transport operators.

Cross-border trade operates within:

• ECOWAS and WAEMU frameworks
• AfCFTA

Key features include:

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

• IIAG – Senegal
• ILO – Decent Work Country Programme
• Labour Code (1997)
• Mining Code (2016)
• WIEGO Report on Street Vendors
• Worldometer / UN Population Data :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}