Cape Verde Passes Landmark Student Employment Law
In a rare show of political unity, Cape Verde’s parliament has unanimously approved a landmark bill establishing a legal framework for university students to hold part-time jobs. The new law, passed on Tuesday, aims to bridge the gap between academic life and the labor market while providing much-needed financial relief to struggling families.
A Cross-Party Victory for Education
The legislation received 51 favorable votes during the final ordinary session before the upcoming May 17 legislative elections. The ruling Movement for Democracy (MpD) joined forces with the opposition African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde (PAICV) and the UCID to pass the measure, signaling broad national support for the initiative.
Minister of Education Amadeu Cruz hailed the law as a “fundamental instrument” for the country’s 2021–2026 Education Strategic Plan. He noted that despite existing scholarship programs, many students still face severe economic barriers to completing their degrees, exacerbated by global inflation and climate-related shocks.
Protecting Student Rights and Academic Performance
One of the primary goals of the bill is to pull student labor out of the “shadow economy.” By regulating temporary work in both private companies and public administration, the government aims to reduce irregular labor practices and ensure that student-workers have guaranteed social protections.
“This creates a regulated bridge between higher education and the job market,” Cruz stated, emphasizing that the law ensures work schedules will be compatible with class attendance to prevent jobs from harming academic performance.
The opposition echoed these sentiments. PAICV parliamentary leader Clóvis Silva noted that the measure will allow students to gain vital professional experience before graduation. Meanwhile, UCID deputy Dora Pires called the initiative a “dignified alternative” for those needing extra income to stay in school.
Expanding the Social Safety Net
This legislative move follows a series of government efforts to combat rising education costs. In late 2025, Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva announced a paid work program specifically designed for full-time students. Additionally, the government recently approved a tuition debt regularization scheme and increased supporting funds by 50 million escudos (approximately €453,000).
To further address the cost of living for the student population, the state has also moved to provide 233 affordable rental apartments for students studying away from home. Currently, the Cape Verdean government supports roughly 3,500 scholarship recipients studying both domestically and abroad.
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