The latest report from the National Agency for Statistics and Demography (ANSD) dedicated to the labor market reveals an activity rate unevenly distributed between regions, sexes and age groups.
The job market and pay gaps in Senegal reveal persistent inequalities, according to the latest report from the National Agency for Statistics and Demography (ANSD). The survey, focused on employment, remuneration and working conditions, provides a precise picture of economic disparities, both at the sectoral level and by gender.
One of the report’s key findings is the stark gap between men’s and women’s salaries. “ Men continue to receive significantly higher salaries than women, all job categories combined. », Underlines the document. For example, women in the formal sector receive on average 25% less than their male counterparts.
In rural areas, the situation is even more alarming. Women’s jobs are mainly concentrated in low-paid sectors, such as subsistence agriculture and informal activities, where average salaries remain well below the SMIG (Guaranteed Minimum Interprofessional Salary).
The report also highlights sectoral differences in pay and working conditions. Sectors such as financial services, telecommunications and mining offer the highest salaries.
Conversely, “ agriculture, livestock breeding and fishing remain the least profitable sectors, despite their importance in the national economy. »
This polarization of wages between the formal and informal sectors exacerbates economic inequalities. Indeed, the informal sector, which employs a large majority of the Senegalese working population, is characterized by unstable income and precarious working conditions.
Young people, still poorly served
Young people, in particular, face structural challenges in accessing decent employment. The report notes that “ the unemployment rate among young graduates remains worrying, particularly in urban areas where competition for qualified positions is fierce. » Many young people are therefore turning to precarious or poorly paid jobs, particularly in services and informal trade.
However, recent initiatives aim to alleviate these disparities. The ANSD document highlights government reforms in terms of salary policy and improvement of working conditions.
Among these measures, we note the increase in the minimum wage and the strengthening of professional training programs for young people and women. “ The aim is to reduce pay gaps and create a more inclusive and fair labor market », specifies the report.
-ANSD Recommendations
To remedy structural inequalities in the labor market, the ANSD recommends several concrete actions. First of all, it is imperative to improve women’s access to formal sectors and better-paid jobs.
This involves positive discrimination policies, mentoring programs and easier access to professional training.
Then, supervision of the informal sector is presented as a priority. The objective is to guarantee decent incomes through initiatives such as the formalization of small businesses, access to credit and the establishment of social protection systems.
This would provide greater stability to informal workers, who represent a majority of the active population.
Furthermore, the report emphasizes the need to invest more in rural areas to reduce the gap between urban and rural regions.
This includes creating infrastructure, supporting agricultural activities and encouraging local development projects to stimulate rural economies and provide opportunities for young people and women.
Finally, the ANSD calls for strengthening the collection and analysis of labor market data in order to design better targeted public policies. A better understanding of the needs of workers and employers could facilitate the implementation of more effective reforms.
ARD/SF/ac/APA
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