Burkina Faso: Equal pay for temporary and permanent workers with the same qualifications

On September 17, Burkina Faso adopted a decree mandating equal pay for temporary or interim workers and permanent employees of the user company when they possess the same professional qualifications. This measure implements the new Labor Code adopted in May.

The decree also prohibits clauses that prevent a user company from directly hiring a temporary worker at the end of or during a placement contract. Additionally, placement and temporary work activities must have appropriate licensing for each type of activity.

The decree further allows user companies to maintain an electronic register. The Government Information Service states that the new framework also includes provisions for personal protective equipment for the affected workers.

These provisions enforce Law No. 013-2026/ALT of May 6, 2026, which pertains to the Labor Code. When it was adopted, the People’s Legislative Assembly clarified that the principle of equal pay applies to both temporary or interim workers and those of the user company when they have the same professional qualifications and perform the same job.

The government presents this framework as a means to more strictly regulate placement companies and the use of temporary workers, while balancing the flexibility sought by businesses with the protection of workers’ rights.

The Labor Code adopted on May 6 also limits the duration of a temporary worker’s assignment to one year. The text was unanimously approved by the 59 deputies present during the vote.