Burkina Faso Social Security Crackdown Reveals Widespread Non-Compliance in Bakery Sector
OUAGADOUGOU – A nationwide inspection campaign by Burkina Faso’s National Social Security Fund (CNSS) has uncovered significant regulatory violations in the country’s bakery and pastry sector, highlighting systemic challenges in extending social protections to workers in round-the-clock food production industries.
Targeted Enforcement Operation
From November 10 to 15, 2025, the CNSS conducted intensive inspections targeting bakeries, pastry shops, and ice cream parlors across Burkina Faso. The operation, personally overseen by CNSS Director General Dr. Herman Yacouba Nacambo during field visits in Ouagadougou, aimed to verify compliance with social security registration requirements for workers in an industry known for its demanding day-and-night operations.
“The goal of this operation is truly to monitor the application of social security regulations at this specific point of economic activity represented by bakeries and pastry shops in particular,” Dr. Nacambo emphasized during the inspections.
Alarming Compliance Gaps Uncovered
Initial findings revealed troubling patterns of non-compliance. Inspections in the Dassasgho and Dapoya neighborhoods discovered that despite businesses holding proper registration numbers, approximately thirty employees at one bread factory and workers at another bakery remained undeclared to the social security system.
The situation represents a significant gap in social protection for workers in a sector critical to food security. Bakeries operate on extended schedules to meet daily demand for staple foods, yet many employees lack access to basic social security benefits.
Worker Perspectives Highlight Systemic Value
Despite the compliance issues, employees expressed strong support for social security coverage. Konfé Safiatou, a baker, testified to the system’s importance: “The work of the CNSS is very beneficial for us. It provides us with real daily support. Thanks to this system, we can better ensure our children’s education. Furthermore, maternity leave is covered and paid, which is a real relief for us.”
Employers Cite Practical Challenges
Business owners acknowledged the importance of social security but pointed to operational difficulties. Roland Tougma, a salesperson in Dapoya, explained the challenge of high staff turnover: “The problem with bakeries is that most employees are not permanent. You can hire someone and a month later they leave. So, this makes it difficult for owners to declare certain people.”
Enforcement Hurdles and Regulatory Requirements
CNSS inspectors face their own challenges in verifying compliance. Yogo Chantal, a CNSS inspector, noted documentation issues: “The difficulties are that often the employees don’t know their start date with the company. We ask them to send, for example, employment contracts, pay slips, so we can try to see, to verify.”
Current regulations require private sector employers to register workers and pay contributions within eight days of hiring. Dr. Nacambo issued a stern warning to non-compliant businesses: “For those who are not in compliance, we will require them to come and regularize the situation of those workers, and they will have to do so with penalties. The longer you delay regularization, the more the penalties increase.”
Broader Implications for Informal Sector Regulation
The crackdown represents a significant test case for Burkina Faso’s efforts to extend social security coverage to sectors with high informal employment. The bakery industry’s combination of formal business registration and informal labor practices presents unique regulatory challenges that could inform future enforcement strategies across other economic sectors.
The CNSS operation continues its mission to register unaffiliated employers and workers while regularizing contribution situations, with potential implications for social protection policy development throughout West Africa.
This report is based on original coverage from Burkina 24. All factual information is attributed to the original source.