The contributory social security system: a solution to ensure the social protection of public employees
In the current context, it is essential to guarantee the social protection of public officials who have devoted themselves to the service of the Congolese state. It is with this in mind that the Deputy Prime Minister of the Civil Service, Modernization of the Administration and Innovation of the Public Service, Jean-Pierre Lihau, presented an information note relating to the establishment of a contributory system social security in favor of certain categories of public officials.
This initiative mainly aims to help public employees who do not have any social protection system once their period of service to the State has ended. The categories of agents concerned by this note are numerous, including members of the central government, provincial governments, executive and deliberative bodies of decentralized territorial entities, provincial governors, public officials, members of the Economic and Social Council, as well as members of political cabinets.
The observation is clear: a large number of public officials do not benefit from adequate social security coverage. Law No. 22/031 on the special social security regime for state public employees was unable to cover all public employees. This is why the establishment of a contributory social security system is necessary.
This system is based on the individual contribution of agents during service, managed by capitalization. It ensures a minimum subsistence level for these agents once their period of activity is over. In addition, this solution can be combined with other social security measures from which public officials can benefit before or after the exercise of their political functions.
It is important to emphasize that this initiative is inspired by good global practices, particularly in certain African countries. By setting up a specific social security coverage mechanism for agents exercising political functions, it is possible to prevent them from finding themselves destitute once their commitment to the service of the State has ended. This is a major step forward which will strengthen the social protection of public officials in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
In conclusion, the establishment of a contributory social security scheme for certain categories of public officials is an essential measure to ensure their social protection after their period of service to the State. This initiative will fill an existing gap in the social security coverage of public employees and guarantee a minimum subsistence level to those who need it most.