Breaking News: DR Congo Raises Minimum Wage to 14,500 FC
In a significant development for workers in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Minister of Labor and Employment, Ephraim Akwakwa, has signed an order increasing the Minimum Interprofessional Guaranteed Wage (SMIG) to 14,500 Congolese francs for ordinary manual workers. This adjustment marks the end of a six-year period of stagnation since the wage was set at 7,075 FC by former Prime Minister Bruno Tshibala Nzenze.
Impact on Workers and Economy
The decision to raise the minimum wage was announced on national television, taking effect from the February payroll. According to the order, the adjusted daily rate of SMIG will be increased by at least 3% for each full year of continuous service by a worker in the same company. This move is expected to provide relief to workers facing the challenges of rising costs of living.
Dialogue and Collaboration
The decision to adjust the SMIG follows a dialogue held in October by Minister Ephraim Akwakwa with professional organizations representing both employers and workers. The aim of the dialogue was to explore opportunities to update the SMIG, which had remained unchanged at the equivalent of 5 USD per day since 2018. The conclusions of these discussions were presented during the 24th meeting of the Council of Ministers in November 2024.
Legal Framework and Future Adjustments
The decree No. 18/017 of March 22, 2018, which sets the SMIG, minimum family allowances, and housing benefits, provides for regular adjustments as per its articles 7 and 12. However, no revision had been made in the past six years, a situation that has now been rectified with this new measure. This adjustment is a positive step towards ensuring fair compensation for workers in the country.
As a journalist covering this story, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of relief and hope for the hardworking individuals in the DR Congo who will benefit from this much-needed increase in the minimum wage. It is heartening to see the government taking steps to address the economic challenges faced by workers, and I look forward to seeing how this adjustment will positively impact the lives of many families across the country. Let’s hope this is the first of many changes that will lead to a brighter future for all workers in the DR Congo.