Kinshasa, April 28th, 2025 (CPA) – ‘Important issues’ relating to employment in the Democratic Republic of Congo will be addressed during the 37th session of the National Labour Council, organized from 25 to 29 April in Kinshasa to improve the purchasing power of the Congolese people, announced the minister responsible at its opening. ‘I note that this session will have to deal with a number of important issues affecting the world of work, including setting the new rate of the guaranteed inter-professional minimum wage (SMIG), and amending the decree on the operation of private placement services with a view to improving working conditions for all categories’, said Ephraïm Akwakwa, Minister of Employment and Labour. ‘I therefore welcome this first step, which consisted of pooling our thoughts and the altruism of the employers‘ and workers’ representatives, who put the interests of their union members first’, he continued. The Minister revealed the vitality of the tripartite partnership and the high level of debate during the preparatory discussions. ‘I remain convinced that the second and most decisive stage of the tripartite discussions, which begin today and last for three days, will be far-reaching and will help to underpin the bold proposals to be submitted to the Government to improve the conditions of Congolese workers’, he said. The minister added that the main objectives of these meetings include the implementation of universal health coverage, which is one of the government’s priority objectives to ensure that the sons and daughters of the DRC receive quality health care and strengthen their social protection. ‘The same applies to pensioners under the general social security scheme, whose care needs to be improved’, said Ephrahim Akwakwa.
This member of the Government was also pleased with the quality of the work already done in the preparatory work, which has paved the way for more serene discussions. ‘I have no doubt that the many subjects listed will give rise to further enriching debates during this session. The report I have received indicates that the encouraging discussions are continuing, with a view to setting a new minimum wage that is realistic and adapted to the realities of the market, and that takes account of the vital needs of workers in order to help boost their purchasing power, as indeed is the wish expressed by the Head of State’, he maintained.
Members of the government urged to show a spirit of solidarity
A view of participants
‘The Head of State invited the members of the Government to show a spirit of government solidarity and an obligation to achieve results, and to implement the opinions, recommendations and resolutions that will emerge from this national and practical exercise, so that this session will lead to concrete, realistic and applicable measures,’ said Yvonne Kusuamina, representing the employers in the DRC. ‘This is therefore an opportunity for us to point out that many of the resolutions and recommendations from previous sessions have not yet been implemented,’ she said. She cited as an example the draft law on the creation, organization and functioning of the High Council for Social Dialogue. Yvonne Kusuamina also expressed the hope that this session of the CNT would be a tangible and successful expression of social dialogue. ‘We reaffirm our conviction that the opinions of the National Labor Council are intended to enlighten the public authorities and legislators on the position of professional organizationswith regard to the fundamental issues of social policy‘, concluded the representative of the employers’organizations. ‘For us workers, this session has two essential options, namely the setting of the new minimum wage, which will really take account of the reality of life and the market price, on the one hand, and on the other, the implementing measures on universal health cover. These are two points that affect the lives of every worker on a daily basis‘, insisted Guy Kuku, the workers’ representative on the Inter-Union. He pointed out that almost all workers are unable to make ends meet at the end of the month, let alone half the month, because their wages are so insecure. ‘This affects the quality of service provided by workers in the production chain in companies’, he lamented. The 36th ordinary session of the National Labor Council took place on 05 August 2020. It focused on improving workers’ conditions, with four strategic priorities: people, economic growth, good governance and a caring society.