At the start of 2023, Togo increased the guaranteed interprofessional minimum wage (Smig). The amount of this minimum salary then increased to 52,500 CFA francs, compared to 35,000 CFA francs since 2012. A decision taken and announced after negotiations and an agreement between the government and the social partners. But a little over a year later, the results of this increase seem mixed.
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According to the Martin-Luther-King Movement (MMLK) of Togo, the increase in minimum wage, which was to have a positive impact on the daily lives of Togolese workers, is variously applied by the private sector. The president of this movement, Edoh Komi, wishes to draw the government’s attention to the attitude of certain employers who are not implementing this increase in minimum wages.
“ A year ago, we expressed satisfaction. But a year later, we realize that the application is not effective at several levels, particularly in the free zone companies where employers threaten workers if they continue to complain. And it’s not serious, because a government decision must be implemented. There is no follow-up, in terms of application “, he laments.
Request for new salary scales
Difficulties also noted by Emmanuel Agbenou, the general secretary of the Trade Union Confederation workers from Togo, but especially at the beginning of last year. The unions now want a new collective agreement, and a new salary scale which takes this increase into account and which must be discussed with the employers.
“ At the beginning, employers threatened dismissals and the minister intervened to say: “No worker should be dismissed because there is an increase in the minimum wage”. It’s true that in certain companies, there are employers who are unable to pay, given the high cost of living. », explains Emmanuel Agbenou.
Questioned on this subject, the Minister of Labor, Gilbert Bawara, highlights his availability – and that of labor inspectors and employers’ organizations – to examine workers’ concerns. He recalls that there are mechanisms in Togo which allow workers as well as unions to submit cases of violations of texts, in terms of SMIG or social rights.
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