Social security reform sparks major dispute for President Bassirou Diomaye Faye

They view the reform as a threat to social gains and the management autonomy of IPRES and the Caisse de sécurité sociale. The Front syndical plans a robust action strategy, including requesting an audience with the President, organizing national marches, appealing to the International Labour Office ILO, and potentially initiating a 72-hour general strike if no compromise is reached. The unions and retirees argue that substantial changes were introduced without adequate consultation with social partners.

Key concerns include the proposed elimination of the representative college within social institutions, a reduction in the number of administrators from 22 to 14, and a new mechanism for appointing general directors that would diminish the power of administrative councils. They also oppose a provision allowing the supervisory authority to dissolve administrative councils and place institutions under provisional administration, fearing increased state control over autonomous bodies. Additionally, the Front syndical is worried about the potential enrollment of non-civil servant state agents into the National Retirement Fund FNR, which they believe could destabilize the financial and institutional balance of IPRES and the Caiss