Awareness workshop for employers on collective bargaining

On June 4, 2026, the Ministry of the Servants of the People, in collaboration with the General Confederation of Enterprises of Faso (COGEF), organized an awareness workshop for employers on collective bargaining. The purpose of this meeting was to better equip employers with knowledge of the mechanisms of social dialogue and collective bargaining, as well as the role of the various stakeholders in managing labor relations.

At the opening of the ceremony, Mr. Hamed TOURE, Chairman of the Commission in charge of Infrastructure and Public Procurement, delivered the message of the COGEF President. In his remarks, he emphasized that collective bargaining is an essential tool for regulating labor relations, enabling social partners to define, through dialogue and consultation, rules adapted to the realities of the various sectors of activity. “This workshop offers an opportunity to strengthen knowledge of collective bargaining, share best practices, and build together the foundations of a better future for the BTP sector, a future in which dialogue and cooperation prevail over confrontation,” he said. Continuing his remarks, he recalled that social dialogue does not end with the signing of a collective agreement. According to him, it is an ongoing process based on regular, transparent, and respectful exchanges between the actors in the world of work.

Taking the floor in turn, the representative of the Director General of Labor, Mr. Moussa GANOU, stated that after the session dedicated to workers in 2025, it was now the employers’ turn to be equipped with the techniques, challenges, and strategies of collective bargaining, ahead of the opening of negotiations on the BTP sector collective agreement. He indicated that: “The success of this process depends on the ability to conduct effective, constructive, and balanced discussions, to seek lasting compromises, and to formalize clear, applicable agreements that are beneficial to all parties.” He concluded by stressing the decisive role of employers in promoting a peaceful and productive social climate.

At the end of the opening ceremony, several presentations were delivered to the participants. The discussions made it possible to gain a better understanding of the principles, stages, and challenges of collective bargaining. They also deepened participants’ understanding of strategies for preparing and conducting negotiations, as well as communication techniques, persuasion, and consensus-building. Finally, they encouraged the sharing of experiences and best practices for conducting effective and sustainable negotiations.

In closing, the employers of COGEF praised this initiative, which they considered relevant and timely, in a context marked by growing challenges related to human resources management and business competitiveness.