The Burkinabe cabinet, meeting on Thursday adopted a draft law establishing the country’s Labour Code.
Presented by the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Protection, Mathias Traoré, the new code introduces several major reforms aimed at better protecting workers and regulating employment practices.
One of the most notable reforms concerns fixed-term contracts (CDDs). Under the new legislation, such contracts may now be renewed no more than twice.
Another significant advance for employees is the increase in the cap for calculating severance pay in the event of dismissal. Compensation will now be calculated up to 24 months’ salary for all workers, regardless of whether they enjoy specific protections.
The new code also imposes stricter regulations on employment placement activities and temporary work.
Minister Traoré emphasised a principle of pay equity: “From now on, a temporary worker and an employee of the host company performing the same role with equivalent qualifications will receive the same remuneration.”
In addition, to prevent conflicts of interest, anyone with direct or indirect ties to a host company will no longer be allowed to conclude contracts for providing personnel.
The legislation also governs the employment of non-resident foreign workers. Employers must obtain prior authorisation from a public employment service, and non-national workers must hold a valid work permit to be employed in Burkina Faso.
Finally, the code introduces reforms to the labour judiciary, including raising the appeal threshold after a ruling from 200,000 CFA francs to 1 million CFA francs, and requiring the Arbitration Council to issue its decision within three months.
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