Labor cost: The minimum wage is administratively determined. The most recent revision of the minimum wage scale occurred in 1995. The guaranteed minimum monthly wage (SMIG) in Mali is $35. In reality, full-time salaried employees with formal contracts start at a base of 35 dollars, which do not include allowances. Beyond the SMIG, there is a scale of monthly base salaries (which includes the mandatory allowances) for certain occupational categories. These categories and their compensation levels are as follows:
- unskilled worker: 30,000
- semi-skilled worker: 40,000
- group leader: 60,000
- foreman: 75,000
- typist: 40,000
- secretary: 70,000
- accountant: 80,000
In addition to basic salary, employers pay social insurance premiums of 21 percent of base salary. Employees contribute 3.6 percent of salary toward their retirement program.
Labor legislation: the Government work week is 40 hours from Monday through Thursday (0730 -1600) and Friday (0730 – 1230 and 1430 – 1730). Employees receive 2.5 days of paid vacation for each month of work. Workers from any company with 10 employees or more have the right to union representation.
Electricity and water costs:
Electricity subscribers pay a fixed annual premium of CFA 15,000 plus usage fees based on a variable rate per kilowatt-hour. These rates range from 82 FCFA/KWH during peak usage hours to 52 FCFA/KWH during busy hours, to 40 FCFA/KWH during low usage hours (peak hours are from 1800 to 2400 o’clock; busy hours are from 630 to 1800o’clock; and low hours are from 2400 to 630 o’clock).
Residential users pay an average rate of 200 FCFA/cubic meter of water. The rate for industrial usage is 80 FCFA per cubic meter.
Petroleum products:
The maximum price of fuel (the only consumer product still subject to Government price control) is as follows:
- unleaded gasoline : CFA/liter 410
- ordinary gasoline : CFA/liter 390
- diesel oil : CFA/liter 270
- kerosene : CFA/liter 200
Rents:
Rental rates vary according to use of land/property and length of tenancy. Current minimum monthly rates are:
- industrial or commercial zone: 3,000 CFA/square meter;
- residential zone : 2,500 CFA/square meter; and
- long term lease (99 years) : 210 CFA/square meter.
Office space in downtown Bamako often goes as high as CFA 12,000/ square meter per month.
Overland freight costs:
Trucking charges in Mali average 60 FCFA/ton/kilometer. In addition, truckers’ clients are responsible for paying road use tolls, which average 200 CFA per 100 km. Rail charges between Dakar and Bamako vary according to the type of cargo and packaging (container, bulk, or loose). The cost for goods in bulk pack is 30,000 FCFA/ton from Dakar to Bamako (up to 30 tons, then the rate drops slightly).
