Burkina Faso: From 30,684 CFA francs to 45,000 CFA francs, the government under the leadership of Captain Ibrahim Traoré increases the minimum wage.
The Burkinabe President, His Excellency Captain Ibrahim Traoré, concerned about the future of Burkina Faso and its citizens, has just signed a decree increasing the guaranteed minimum wage (SMIG) of Burkina Faso from thirty thousand six hundred and eighty-four (30,684) CFA francs to forty-five thousand (45,000) CFA francs, representing an increase of approximately fourteen thousand three hundred and sixteen (14,316) CFA francs. This courageous decision was made during the weekly Council of Ministers, chaired by Captain Ibrahim Traoré.
Indeed, important decisions were taken during this Council of Ministers, under the Ministry of Public Service, Labor, and Social Protection, adopting two decrees related to the world of work.
The first decree concerns the minimum wage, and the second one establishes the national commission for determining the minimum wage.
Since 2006, the minimum wage in Burkina Faso, which has been set at thirty thousand six hundred and eighty-four (30,684) CFA francs, has not seen an increase until now, despite the labor movement’s demand for an increase in 2021, to which the Government committed to making an adjustment.
According to the Minister of Labor, Mr. Bassolma BAZIE, there was a meeting last week between the government, the “Unité d’Action Syndicale” (Trade Union Unity) representing the labor movement, and the National Employers’ Council.
It was on this occasion that they jointly decided to raise the guaranteed minimum wage from thirty thousand six hundred and eighty-four to forty-five thousand CFA francs.
Furthermore, Mr. Bassolma BAZIE stated that the adoption of this decree allows each worker and private employer to legally implement the wage increase according to the new minimum wage standards.
This decision will not be left to chance. Controls and verifications will be carried out to optimize its implementation. That is why the second decree was adopted.
This decree establishes the composition and functioning of the National Commission for Minimum Wage Adjustment and stipulates that the commission must meet every two years to analyze the country’s economic parameters, assess the national situation, and determine if there is a possibility to adjust the amount of the minimum wage based on the cost of living.
It is worth mentioning that this noble decision by Captain Ibrahim Traoré and his government deserves praise.
Compared to some countries like Ghana, Rwanda, and many other African nations, the minimum wage in Burkina Faso, even before its increase, is still higher. «Homeland or death, Burkina Faso will prevail! »
Harouna Kourouma
