E/C.12/BFA/CO/1 needs of the labour market. The Committee draws attention in this respect to its general comment No. 18 (2005) on the right to work. Informal sector and social security 21. The Committee expresses its concern at the fact that a large number of workers (over 70 per cent) remain in the informal economy and are not protected by labour legislation. As a result, a large proportion of the population of Burkina Faso is deprived of social protection. The Committee is also concerned by the lack of social welfare benefits not subject to assessment (arts. 6, 7 and 9). 22. The Committee recommends that the State party ensure that its national policy should establish a universal social security system, which will progressively guarantee sufficient benefits for all workers and benefits not subject to assessment for all disadvantaged persons or families, in order to allow them a decent standard of living. In the light of International Labour Organization (ILO) Transition from the Informal to the Formal Economy Recommendation, 2015 (No. 204), the Committee recommends that the State party take steps to regularize the situation of workers in the informal economy and systematically include the informal sector in the operations of the labour inspection services. The Committee draws attention in this connection to its general comment No. 19 (2007) on the right to social security and its statement on social protection floors (2015). Minimum wage 23. The Committee notes with concern that the minimum wage remains low and does not guarantee a decent standard of living and that the minimum wage does not apply to workers in the informal sector (art. 7). 24. The Committee recommends that the State party take administrative and legislative measures to ensure that the minimum wage is periodically reviewed and set at a level sufficient to provide all workers and their families, including workers in the informal sector, with a decent standard of living. The Committee draws attention in this connection to its general comment No. 23 (2016) on the right to just and favourable conditions of work. Trade union rights 25. The Committee is concerned at the fact that the exercise of trade union rights, including the right to strike, are still, in practice, subject to excessive restrictions. It is concerned at reports that union leaders and members are discriminated against and liable to be dismissed from their jobs because of their trade union activities (art. 8). 26. The Committee urges the State party to ensure that its legislative framework on trade union rights is in compliance with article 8 of the Covenant, while also taking into account the ILO Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organize Convention, 1948 (No. 87) and the ILO Right to Organize and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949 (No. 98). It also urges the State party to protect unionized workers and their leaders from acts of intimidation, including by ensuring that such acts are investigated and that those responsible are tried and punished. Violence against women 27. The Committee is concerned at the prevalence and widespread occurrence of violence against women, particularly cases of domestic violence and sexual violence. It is also concerned at acts of violence against older women accused of witchcraft. The Committee regrets the difficulties faced by female victims of violence in obtaining access GE.16-11935 5