Status

The pay scale is set out in the collective agreement. Each sector of activity has its own collective agreement, which is the result of negotiations between trade union representatives and employers’ representatives in the sector concerned.

Some companies negotiate company-level agreements that are much better suited to their specific specialisms and circumstances. These agreements provide for specific classifications that differ from those in the collective agreement but are much more beneficial to their staff.

In principle, the law does not go into the details of occupational classifications. It leaves this to the social partners through collective bargaining (collective agreements or company-level agreements).

Classifying wages 

In Mali, wage classification is carried out in two ways. Wages are classified either according to the job performed, regardless of the qualification held, or according to the educational background, with an emphasis on the value of the qualification.

In any event, the salary must be classified into a professional category from the moment of recruitment. This is generally specified in the individual employment contract, if one exists. If the contract is verbal, the category will be specified on the payslip, which the employer is obliged to issue

Proceeding with salary progression or reclassification 

Generally speaking, every collective agreement or company-level agreement provides for pay bands within each category, thereby enabling the employee to progress from the lowest to the highest level and even to be reclassified into the next higher category.

In addition to progressive advancement, an employee may be automatically reclassified to a higher category upon completing either relevant studies, higher-level vocational training, or a test organised by the company and passing it.

Promotion and reclassification are carried out by an ad hoc committee (the Promotion and Reclassification Committee). This is a joint committee comprising employee representatives and employer representatives, and chaired by the Labour Inspector.

Terminology

Electoral college: When professional bodies are established (through election), employees are divided into electoral colleges. The first college comprises manual workers and clerical staff; the second, supervisors and managerial staff.

Supervisors: These are technicians and similar staff, comprising all employees classified in the intermediate category between manual workers, clerical staff and managers.