By Mbah Godlove
In an effort to collect tens of billions of unpaid social insurance contributions, the Caisse Nationale de Prévoyance Sociale (CNPS) regional office for the Centre, South and East regions has formally requested the involvement of security forces to support its enforcement campaign on the ground. The move marks a notable escalation in the national push to compel delinquent employers to settle outstanding debts to the social insurance system.
Mounting Unpaid Contributions Prompt Tougher Measures
In a letter addressed to the Governor of the Centre region, the CNPS Regional Director requested that security personnel be made available to accompany CNPS teams during the execution of debt recovery operations. According to figures shared by the regional director, employers in the Centre region alone owe a total of 88 164 476 605 CFA francs in unpaid contributions.
These contributions — mandatory payments into the nation’s social insurance system — fund vital benefits for workers and pensioners, such as retirement pensions, disability coverage, and family benefits. Their absence threatens the financial stability of these programs and the rights of beneficiaries who depend on them.
The collection drive is part of a nationwide initiative ordered by the CNPS central leadership to strengthen compliance and reduce long-standing arrears in employer payments.
Security Forces Called In for “Safe and Orderly Implementation”
In requesting security assistance, CNPS officials cited the need to ensure that recovery operations proceed without incidents. These operations may involve visits to workplaces, audits of employer records, and potentially coercive enforcement measures when debtors resist voluntary settlement.
The participation of security forces — typically police or gendarmerie units — is framed by the CNPS as a way to protect staff and avoid confrontations during field actions. Authorities say the goal is not to punish businesses arbitrarily, but to safeguard the law and uphold workers’ social rights.
Balance Between Enforcement and Economic Realities
However, the proposed use of security personnel has sparked debate among stakeholders. Some employer associations and economic analysts warn that deploying armed units to enforce financial compliance could unjustly penalize firms genuinely struggling with economic hardship. Ongoing economic instability — shaped by fluctuating commodity prices, exchange rate pressures, and broader business environment challenges — has left many enterprises with limited liquidity to meet fiscal obligations.
Officials from the CNPS acknowledge this complexity, emphasizing that enforcement will target instances of “bad faith” non-payment rather than situations where companies show legitimate financial difficulty. They stress that measures remain grounded in fairness and proportionality, and that dialogue with employers will continue alongside enforcement actions.
