Title: Strike by agents and executives of the Provincial Planning Division of Kongo-Central: A struggle for equity and recognition
Introduction :
Since Tuesday, August 22, 2023, the agents and executives of the Kongo-Central Provincial Planning Division have launched a radical strike movement to express their dissatisfaction with the marginalization and ill-treatment of which they are victims. In their memorandum, they underline several demands, in particular the harmonization of planning bonuses, the mechanization of salaries for agents and executives, access to basic health care and promotion in grades. This discrimination persists despite the fact that these agents assume the same functions as their colleagues in Kinshasa.
A fight for pay equity:
Agents and executives of the Provincial Planning Division of Kongo-Central denounce the disproportionate salary gaps between those working in the provinces and those in the urban division of Kinshasa, who receive up to five times more for similar functions. This situation is considered unfair and unacceptable, creating deep frustration within this division. They are therefore demanding equal pay and recognition of their professional contribution.
Legitimate requests for better care:
In addition to pay equity, agents and executives of the Provincial Planning Division of Kongo-Central also demand mechanization in salary, which means that their remuneration should be based on their responsibilities and not on variable bonuses. They want to be able to benefit from access to basic health care similar to that available in Kinshasa, because their current situation deprives them of essential medical services.
A struggle for recognition and promotion:
Agents and executives of the Provincial Planning Division of Kongo-Central also feel marginalized in terms of promotion and recognition of their expertise. They denounce the fact that some officers are paid at lower grades than they actually occupy, thus creating a situation of injustice and demotivation. They therefore demand concrete measures for promotion in accordance with their skills and responsibilities.
Significant progress:
Despite this tense climate, progress has been made in the negotiations. The General Secretariat at the Ministry of Planning responded to requests from civil servants in the Kongo-Central province by signing a draft salary scale to readjust the bonuses of agents and executives of the provincial Plan divisions. In addition, the mechanization of 2,204 agents was undertaken, including 132 for Kongo-Central. These actions bear witness to an awareness of the situation and a desire to provide concrete solutions..
Conclusion :
The strike by agents and executives of the Provincial Planning Division of Kongo-Central highlights problems of wage discrimination, lack of recognition and promotion. These claims are legitimate and require special attention to ensure fairness and respect for workers’ rights. The progress made in the negotiations is encouraging, but there is still some way to go to ensure better support for these agents and executives. The recognition of their expertise and their contribution is essential to promote their professional development and the smooth running of the activities of the Kongo-Central Provincial Planning Division