Fatshimetrie October 18, 2024 (Fatshim) – An urgent request comes from the Société nationale des chemins de fer du Congo (SNCC), a company dependent on the Public Portfolio, concerning a key issue affecting agents eligible for retirement. Indeed, this railway transport company is addressing a plea to the Deputy Prime Minister of Transport with a view to obtaining an allocation of more than USD 140 million to ensure the care of agents at the end of their careers.
Luta Natshilombo, Director of Human Resources at SNCC, highlighted the difficulty encountered by the company in managing agents who have reached retirement age, due to the lack of funding. This request aims to raise awareness among the Deputy Prime Minister on the importance of finding financial solutions to meet the needs of agents at the end of their careers.
In addition to this request for an allocation, SNCC also reported a problem related to blocked accounts in various commercial banks. Despite existing regulations prohibiting the seizure of assets and property of public companies, access to funds remains a challenge for SNCC. The Director of Human Resources stressed the importance of releasing funds held at Afriland Bank, stressing that access to these resources would be crucial to ensuring the care of railway workers and pensioners in 2014.
The SNCC delegation also reminded the Deputy Prime Minister of the cases of banks such as BIAC, First Bank and BAD, which were subject to liquidation proceedings. With the intervention of the Central Bank of Congo, the beneficiaries were able to recover their funds. However, SNCC is facing persistent difficulties in accessing funds blocked at Afriland Bank and in segregated accounts, representing an estimated amount of several million dollars.
Currently, SNCC has 3,678 pensioners, requiring a financial envelope of $140 million to ensure their care. Among them, 160 residents risk losing their right to SNCC benefits if adequate financial measures are not taken quickly.
This situation highlights the urgent need for government action to support SNCC in managing its employees at the end of their careers and to ensure a smooth transition to retirement for all of its staff. It is imperative that financial solutions be quickly put in place to ensure the sustainability of this public company and the well-being of its employees.