Kinshasa, April 24th, 2025 (CPA) – The actors of the labour sector of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have been invited by the Head of State, to propose a new ‘fair, modern and sustainable’ wage policy, for the civil servants of the State, during a ceremony, Thursday in Kinshasa. « Faced with this worrying situation, I have instructed the government (…) to conceive a fair, modern and sustainable pay policy. This new pay policy must imperatively guarantee fair remuneration, based on the efforts made, the qualifications obtained and the responsibilities assumed, without favouritism between the employees », has declared Felix Tshisekedi, in his speech of launching the work of elaboration of the new policy of remuneration of the State employees. According to the President of the Republic, this new pay policy “should be based on a unique pay scale, visible and accessible to all, taking into account the grade, the seniority and applied in a uniform way”. « It must attract and retain skills through motivating and competitive incentives. It will also have to remain within the limits of the State’s financial capacities by adopting a rigorous and responsible management of our resources, and will have to standardise bonuses, in a transparent manner, avoiding the excessive differences between ministries », President Tshisekedi has made it known.
Obligation to overcome the »resistants »
The Minister in charge of the Civil Service, pronouncing his speech
The President of the Republic has, also invited the Labour actors to be more zealous and vigilant during this reform process, which is likely to encounter pitfalls from the »resistants’’.
« I am aware of resistances that these efforts could be faced with. The particular interests and networks that have their statu quo will dare with no doubt to put the brakes on this salutary process. It is time for the law of the powerful to no longer weigh down the justice system », he has said, while reassuring us of his involvement to guarantee the implementation of the aforementioned reform. « Our public servants expect a fair, transparent, modern and efficient system. I have a full confidence in your skills and your commitment, as well as your sense of duty, to lay solid foundations for this reform (…). And I will personally oversee its implementation », he has sustained.
Putting an end to disparities in remuneration
A view of the room at the opening of the conference
Furthermore, Felix Tshisekedi has also painted a gloomy picture of the salaries paid to the State’s civil servant, inviting all Labour actors to take advantage of this conference to put an end to the disparity in salaries in the various ministries. « For too long, inequalities mark our civil service. Some ministries or departments, particularly those with economic and financial responsibilities, have substantial resources and generous benefits, while others, which are also essential to national development, are relegated to the second level with arduous salaries. This imbalance fuels a sense of injustice, demotivates the employees and reduces the quality of public service performance », he has argued. « We are going through a decisive stage in our history. While the east of our country is facing an unacceptable aggression, threatening the security and dignity of our population, another battle is being waged here, the battle for social justice, for the valorisation of our civil servants and for the modernisation of our public administration. These struggles, though different in their domains, sharing a common goal: to build a strong, united and prosperous Congo, where every citizen lives in peace, dignity and equity », has indicated President Tshisekedi. Organised by the Civil Service, in collaboration with the National Labour Council (CNT), these workshops are being held under the theme: ‘Towards a fairer and more equitable pay policy for civil servants’.