In Côte d'Ivoire, union leaders from various organizations signed a social truce with the government, set to expire in 2027. On October 30, 2026, they gathered in Grand-Bassam to reflect on past agreements and prepare for upcoming negotiations. The meeting was opened by Gah Simplice, Inspector General of Public Service, representing Minister of State Anne Désirée Ouloto-Lamizana. He praised the unions' commitment and maturity, emphasizing that the social truce aims to promote responsible negotiation and respect for commitments.
The social truce, which has been in place since 2017, has two phases: 2017-2022 and 2022-2027. Gah Simplice noted that certain tensions in the social landscape result from inadequate understanding of social dialogue mechanisms by some unions. He encouraged the participants to strengthen their training and adopt a more collaborative approach. The meeting allowed participants to review the 2022-2027 agreement, harmonize sectoral negotiation methods, and prepare proposals for the government.
Soro Mamadou, spokesperson for the G8 union group, stated that this meeting marked the beginning of an inclusive and participatory process. The exercise will be extended to base unions, regions, and various public service employment categories. The goal is to gather concerns from public servants and state agents, identify transversal and sectoral issues, and prioritize discussion topics. This approach aims to achieve a more ambitious agreement than the one reached in 2022.
During the three-day meeting, participants examined the achievements, strengths, and weaknesses of previous agreements. They identified public servants' and state agents' concerns and defined a common methodology for future negotiations. Discussions also focused on institutional social dialogue mechanisms, such as consultative committees and sectoral committees.
The participants were informed about a project to build the "Maison du Travailleur" (Workers' House), which could improve working conditions and address workers' concerns. This initiative comes as the 2022-2027 social truce agreement is set to expire. The meeting aimed to facilitate concerted preparation for upcoming negotiations between unions and the government.
The Ivoirian government and unions have a history of collaboration, with previous agreements aimed at promoting social peace and improving working conditions. The upcoming negotiations will focus on addressing public servants' and state agents' concerns, as well as defining a new framework for social dialogue. The unions' proactive approach demonstrates their commitment to achieving a better agreement.
The meeting in Grand-Bassam concluded with a renewed commitment to social dialogue and cooperation between the government and unions. The participants agreed to continue the inclusive and participatory process, ensuring that all stakeholders are involved in the negotiation process. The outcome of these efforts will likely shape the future of labor relations in Côte d'Ivoire.
Key points
- Unions in Côte d'Ivoire are preparing for 2027 government talks by reflecting on past social truce agreements and defining a common methodology for future negotiations.
