DRC: President Félix Tshisekedi announces measures to curb expatriate abuse
During the last Cabinet meeting he chaired on Wednesday, the President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, President Félix Tshisekedi, directly addressed the working conditions of Congolese employees employed by expatriates.
The President expressed his concern over the recurring complaints from his fellow citizens, particularly regarding the mistreatment by foreign employers, especially those from Indo-Pakistani, Chinese, Lebanese, and other nationalities.
These abuses mainly involve violations of workers’ rights, unpaid or underpaid wages, and inhumane working conditions. In response to this alarming situation, President Tshisekedi announced a series of measures over the weekend to address these issues. He ordered the establishment of a rigorous and permanent monitoring mechanism to identify and penalize these abuses.
The Head of State emphasized the importance of ensuring the protection of Congolese workers, especially those employed in companies led by foreigners. A detailed report on the current state of the situation is expected to be submitted by the end of December 2024.
As part of this initiative, President Félix Tshisekedi has tasked the Minister of Employment and Labor, with the support of specialized services and the General Finance Inspectorate, to establish this control system.
This mechanism will not only ensure the strict enforcement of Congolese labor laws but also ensure that sanctions for violations of workers’ rights are applied systematically and deterrently. The President also stressed the importance of raising awareness among workers about their rights, so that they can report any abusive situation without fear of retaliation.
This initiative is part of the broader policy to modernize labor governance and protect human rights in the Democratic Republic of Congo, aimed at improving the living and working conditions of Congolese citizens, while strengthening transparency and fairness in professional relationships.
President Tshisekedi also reminded that the government is firmly committed to promoting a respectful and ethical work environment, both for Congolese citizens and expatriates, in compliance with international standards and principles of social justice.
