The Autonomous Union of Higher Education in Senegal, SAES, achieved a significant victory on March 7, 2025, with the approval of a decree that provides pension reversion to the families of deceased lecturers and integrates the research allowance into pension calculations. This decision concludes years of advocacy and addresses the previous insufficiency in pension provisions, ensuring improved financial security for affected families.
The Autonomous Union of Higher Education (SAES) has successfully secured significant enhancements in retirement conditions for university educators and researchers in Senegal. On March 7, 2025, the government ratified a decree that grants pension reversion to beneficiaries and incorporates the research allowance into pension assessments, thereby providing much-needed support to the families of deceased faculty members.
Despite a favorable agreement established in March 2018, which fixed the pension replacement rate at 85% of the final net salary, a critical issue persisted regarding the lack of pension reversion for the beneficiaries of deceased lecturers and researchers. Previously, only a meager portion of 13% of the lecturers’ salary was allocated to spouses and orphans.
In response to this ongoing challenge, SAES amplified its efforts and reached a protocol agreement with the government in January 2023, initiating pension reversion reforms. However, tangible progress was delayed, necessitating continued advocacy from the union. The expiration of the union’s strike notice in January 2025 served as a catalyst, intensifying pressure on authorities to expedite action.
Ultimately, following prolonged negotiations and vigorous mobilization efforts by university staff, the critical decree was signed on March 7, 2025. This decree not only assures pension reversion for bereaved families but also enhances post-retirement income by including the research allowance in pension calculations.
SAES’s national secretary-general commended this decree as a necessary rectification for the families affected by prior regulations, stressing the importance of regularizing pension contributions for lecturers on secondment to qualify for special retirement allowances.
While celebrating this achievement, SAES continues to advocate for additional reforms, such as the construction of new university facilities, strong recruitment of teaching staff, and elevated funding for research initiatives. The union affirmed its commitment to ensuring a stable academic atmosphere while urging its members to remain observant to facilitate the complete realization of the January 2023 agreement.
The recent decree signed by the Senegalese government represents a pivotal victory for the SAES, granting pension reversion rights and improving pension calculations to better serve the families of deceased lecturers. This achievement underscores the union’s dedication to advocating for the rights of university staff, while also reflecting the ongoing need for further reforms within Senegal’s higher education system. The commitment to enhancing university infrastructure and research funding remains a priority as the union seeks to foster a supportive academic environment.
Original Source: www.senenews.com
