Allongement du congé de maternité à 18 semaines : Diomaye Faye dit oui aux femmes
In the wake of a May Day 2026 laden with symbolism, the National Network of Working Women of Senegal (RENAFETS) expressed its profound satisfaction. As the leading umbrella organization uniting women workers in both the formal and informal sectors, RENAFETS saw the workers' march as a major platform to amplify the voices of women.
Among the demands was the promulgation of the law on maternity protection, which has "finally" resonated at the highest levels of government.
As with every Labour Day, the demands of the unions have converged, once again this year, on a now central demand: the extension of maternity leave from 14 to 18 weeks, i.e. one more month.
Far from being a mere point of negotiation, this subject has emerged as the leitmotif of the speeches, revealing a major social expectation and a change of perspective on the condition of women in the professional world.
For the trade union federations, the issue goes beyond a sectoral achievement. It concerns fundamental rights: protecting the health of the mother and newborn, and guaranteeing a genuine balance between work obligations and the demands of family life.
Several union leaders have pointed out that the current length of leave (14 weeks) falls short of internationally recommended standards. They are raising concerns about the physical and mental strain faced by employees forced to return to work too soon, torn between breastfeeding, recovery, and the demands of their jobs.
The mobilization has just reached a decisive milestone. On May 1st, 2026, the President of the Republic welcomed the workers' call. This response at the highest level of the State transforms a union demand into a national commitment.
In a statement received by Seneweb, RENAFETS, headed by Fatoumata Bintou Yafa, respectfully thanks the Head of State Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye for having responded favorably to the demand of women on the extension of maternity leave to 18 weeks and for the transmission to the National Assembly of the Labour Code and the single social security Code adopted by the social partners.
For them, this presidential decision marks a turning point for maternal dignity and social justice in Senegal.
A major step for the women's network, which also gives a "special mention to the general secretaries of the trade union federations, who strongly championed these two historic demands: the extension of maternity leave to 18 weeks and the establishment of nurseries in the workplace."
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