The General Confederation of Ivory Coast Enterprises (Cgeci), the Ivorian Federation of Small and Medium Enterprises (Fipme) and the trade union centres are proposing an increase in the guaranteed minimum wage (SMIG). Thus, the minimum wage could rise to 75,000 CFA francs, i.e. an increase of 25% as of 1 January 2023.
While in Benin, the various trade union confederations campaigned fiercely before the executive promised to raise the minimum wage to 52,000 from January 2023, in Ivory Coast, trade union leaders suggested that the minimum wage be raised to 25%, i.e. 75,000 CFA francs as opposed to the current 60,000 francs. This proposal awaits the approval of the Ivorian government. It should be noted that the last time the Ivorian minimum wage was raised was in November 2013 when the executive increased it from 36,607 CFA francs to 60,000 CFA francs, i.e. almost double.
But this initiative to increase the Smig emanates from the Ivorian Head of State who, in view of the current global economic situation, issued a decree on 6 August to increase the salaries of civil servants and state employees as well as pensioners.
It is with this same logic that President Alassane Ouattara initiated discussions between the government and the private sector to raise the minimum wage. The measure is therefore intended to address the high cost of living and inflation created by Russia’s war in Ukraine. This proposal of 75,000 CFA francs is the result of discussions undertaken by the government with the social partners. The Ivorian executive thus intends to relieve workers faced with the high cost of living and, consequently, improve the living conditions of the population.
