Togo Promotes Social Dialogue and Health Coverage on International Workers' Day

Economic governance

Thursday, 02 May 2024 16:02

Togo Promotes Social Dialogue and Health Coverage on International Workers' Day

(Togo First) - International Workers' Day in Togo was marked by a meeting between the Minister of Public Service, Gilbert Bawara, and representatives of the Coordination of Trade Union Centers of Togo (CCST) and employers. They discussed the challenges of social dialogue and preserving social peace.

The talks focused on traditional concerns and implementing the Universal Health Coverage (UHC), a subject of ongoing discussion and negotiation. Minister Bawara emphasized the importance of improving UHC and workers' living conditions to ensure a serene social climate. "We have discussed how to address the major issues of social dialogue, such as Universal Health Coverage (UHC), social security, better living conditions for workers, and how to improve them to preserve the climate of peace and social security," he said, as quoted by Togo Presse.

The government is committed to supporting social partners in their determination to seek the well-being of workers. The President of the Togolese Employers' Association, Laurent Tamegnon, welcomed the maintenance of the Social Pact and Social Dialogue, highlighting their contribution to a peaceful social year for workers.

The spokesperson for the CCST, Vissikou Sénouvo, explained that the trade union grievances addressed issues such as UHC and the challenges faced by informal workers. These concerns will be integrated into the list of demands before being submitted to the government.

It's worth noting that the National Social Security Fund (CNSS) launched a one-stop shop for its services to private sector workers in April.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

REFORMS OVERVIEW

STARTING A BUSINESS (more info)

At the fifteenth position, worldwide, and first in Africa, under the Starting a Business index of the 2020 Doing Business ranking, Togo sustains its reformative dynamics with more reforms….

ENFORCING CONTRACTS (more info)

Compared to some years ago when it was one of the lowest rankers under the Doing Business’ Enforcing Contracts indicator, Togo, leveraging many efforts to improve its business climate, was able to jump significantly on the index in the recent years... .

CONTRACT EXECUTION (more info)

Creation of special chambers of commerce for small debts • Creation of chambers of commerce at the Court of Appeal • Civil and commercial cases now handled by distinct clerks • Establishment of commercial courts in Lomé and Kara • Lawyers and bailiffs now have access to the FORSETI COMMERCIAL platform • A maximum period of 100 days was fixed to settle a commercial dispute .

TRADING ACROSS BORDERS (more info)

In comparison to previous years,Togo has significantly improved its ranking under the“Trading across borders” indicator by adopting multiple reforms that focus mainly on the digitization and reduction in delays, for import and export procedures related to import and export.

In comparison to previous years, Togo has significantly improved its ranking on the “Trading across borders” index by adopting multiple reforms that focus mainly on the digitalization and reduction in delays, for import and export procedures related to import and export.

CONSTRUCTION PERMIT (more info)

After moving from the 133rd to 127th place under the 2020 Doing Business’ construction permit index, Togo intends to reiterate this feat in the coming edition of the global ranking. To this end, it has introduced this year multiple reforms.

GETTING ELECTRICITY (more info)

Over the past two years, Togo’s ranking under the Doing Business’ Getting electricity and water indicator has increased consistently. Owing this performance to multiple reforms aimed at making it easier for businesses to access power and water, Lomé plans to introduce even more reforms this year to keep up its improvements.

REGISTERING A PROPERTY (more info)

Out of all the 'Doing Business’ indicators, Property Registration is where Togo has improved the most since 2018. Indeed, after spending years in the lowest part of this ranking, the country now seeks to beat Rwanda which is the best performer on this index in Africa. To do so, Lomé has been introducing many reforms, with the latest batch implemented this year.

PUBLIC PROCUREMENT (more info)

From professionalization to digitization, through legislative regulations, Togo’s public procurement framework is constantly being modernized. Several reforms have been implemented to improve the sector much to the benefit of the private sector, which is the focus of the National Development Plan.

PAYING TAXES AND DUTIES (more info)

To improve its business environment, Togo introduced some important reforms related to the payment of tax and duties. From the replacement of some taxes to the cancellation of others through exemptions, the country has only one objective: offer the most attractive tax framework to investors and economic operators. To achieve this, the authorities relied on digitization.