The SAES has successfully negotiated pension reversion for beneficiaries and the inclusion of the research allowance in pension calculations, following a decree signed by the Senegalese government on March 7, 2025. This victory follows years of advocacy and addresses longstanding financial injustices faced by families of deceased lecturers and researchers. SAES remains focused on further improvements within the academic sector.
The Autonomous Union of Higher Education (SAES) has achieved a significant victory regarding pension conditions for university lecturers and researchers in Senegal. On March 7, 2025, the Senegalese government signed a decree that grants pension reversion to beneficiaries and incorporates the research allowance into pension calculations. This landmark decision ends years of struggle and negotiation, providing much-needed support to the families of deceased academic professionals.
Historically, the SAES secured a pivotal agreement on March 15, 2018, which established a pension replacement rate of 85% of the last net salary. Nonetheless, an unresolved issue remained concerning the non-reversion of pensions for the rightful beneficiaries of deceased lecturers and researchers. Previously, spouses and orphans were left with a mere 13% of the lecturer’s net salary.
In response to this injustice, SAES intensified its advocacy efforts and reached a protocol agreement with the government in January 2023, which aimed to reform pension reversion. Despite commitments made by the government, progress was notably slow. However, the expiration of the union’s strike notice in January 2025 applied additional pressure on authorities to take action, leading to compelling negotiations.
The decree signed in March 2025 has been hailed as a transformative breakthrough. The families of deceased lecturers and researchers will now benefit from pension reversion, ensuring more substantial financial security. Furthermore, the inclusion of the research allowance in retirement calculations constitutes a significant enhancement to post-career earnings for university personnel.
SAES’s national secretary-general praised the decree as a “correction of an injustice that weighed on the families of deceased colleagues.” He further stressed the necessity of regularizing pension contributions for seconded lecturers to qualify for special retirement allowances. Despite this achievement, SAES remains focused on additional critical demands including improved university infrastructure, the recruitment of lecturers and researchers, and enhanced research funding.
The union has reaffirmed its commitment to fostering a peaceful academic atmosphere and has urged its members to remain vigilant to ensure the full execution of the January 2023 agreement.
In conclusion, the SAES’s recent victory in securing pension reversion and integrating research allowances into pension calculations marks a significant leap forward for the financial welfare of families of deceased lecturers and researchers in Senegal. While this accomplishment reflects years of advocacy and negotiation, the union’s commitment to addressing further demands highlights ongoing challenges within the academic sector. The decree not only alleviates financial pressures but also sets a precedent for future enhancements in retirement conditions for educational professionals.
Original Source: www.senenews.com
