Unions Seek 5% National Income For Social Protection
The proposal aims to expand social safety nets for West African workers currently lacking coverage.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Employment
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Should governments mandate higher spending on social safety nets for workers in the informal economy?
The Organisation of Trade Unions of West Africa is calling for member nations to commit 5% of their national income toward social protection programs. This demand comes as advocates seek to expand coverage for workers in the informal economy across the region.
Why it matters
Currently, only 16% of the West African population receives any form of social protection benefit, trailing the broader African average of 19.1%. Increased government funding is being proposed to better protect households from economic hardship and healthcare costs.
Nigeria currently allocates less than 1% of its Gross Domestic Product to social protection programs. Regional unions are now pressing for a 5% allocation as part of a wider effort to boost coverage beyond the current 16% of the population.
The players
Organisation of Trade Unions of West Africa
A regional body advocating for labor rights and improved social security coverage for workers.
ECOWAS
The Economic Community of West African States, which establishes regional frameworks for development and social policy.
The details
The push for increased funding aims to extend security benefits to workers in the informal economy who often lack traditional safety nets. By moving resources toward social protection, advocates aim to create a buffer against poverty and health-related financial shocks. Representatives from several nations met in Abuja to build strategies for influencing how the ECOWAS Framework on Social Protection is implemented by their respective governments.
Timeline
The ECOWAS Framework on Social Protection spans the period from 2024 to 2028.
Money Landscape
This effort aligns with regional mandates to address long-standing gaps in social safety nets across West Africa. It marks a significant push to elevate current funding levels to meet the goals set within the ECOWAS Framework on Social Protection.
If these funding demands are met, workers in the informal economy may see improved access to essential social security benefits. Households should monitor national budget announcements in their specific countries to see if government spending shifts toward these social protection goals.
The takeaway
Advocates are pushing to narrow the gap between current benefit coverage and the needs of informal workers by increasing national budget allocations. Readers should keep an eye on upcoming national budget debates to see if social protection receives a larger share of public spending.
Further reading
For more on how government policies affect workforce security, explore our Employment section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Tribune Online.
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Should governments mandate higher spending on social safety nets for workers in the informal economy?
