WAGE SCALE IN BENIN: Government Urges Underpaid Workers to Report Their Employers
Despite the increase in the minimum wage (SMIG) to 52,000 FCFA in 2023, many Beninese companies continue to pay their employees below the legal threshold. Faced with this blatant violation of labor law, the government is breaking its silence and calling on employees to report these practices.
Receiving 30,000 or 40,000 FCFA per month is not only paltry, it is illegal. This Thursday, July 23, 2026, during a televised address, government spokesperson Wilfried Léandre Houngbédji firmly reiterated that the Guaranteed Minimum Interprofessional Wage (SMIG) has remained fixed at 52,000 FCFA for over three years.
In order to track down those failing to pay their wages, the government is urging aggrieved employees to take action. The instruction is clear: report any fraud directly to the National Social Security Fund (CNSS). These reports will allow the CNSS to identify and summon companies operating illegally and bring them before the appropriate authorities.
When asked about a possible future salary increase, the spokesperson urged caution. The immediate priority is strict adherence to the current minimum wage. While a further increase remains conceivable within the next three to five years, it will depend on the country’s economic health and the ability of private sector companies to absorb it without jeopardizing employment.
As a reminder, the minimum wage (SMIG) increased by 30% on January 1, 2023, rising from 40,000 to 52,000 FCFA. The government reiterates that this provision applies to all private employers: respecting the minimum wage is a legal obligation, not a favor.
Prospère CAKPO (Intern)
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