Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2011, published 101st ILC session (2012)

Social Security (Minimum Standards) Convention, 1952 (No. 102) - Democratic Republic of the Congo (Ratification: 1987)

The Committee recalls that the Democratic Republic of the Congo has accepted the obligations under Convention No. 102 in relation to old-age benefit (Part V), family benefit (Part VII), invalidity benefit (Part IX), and survivors’ benefit (Part X). The Democratic Republic of the Congo has also ratified the Equality of Treatment (Social Security) Convention, 1962 (No. 118), and the Employment Injury Benefits Convention, 1964 (No. 121).

In 2004, following the comments that it has been making for many years concerning the need to bring the national legislation fully into conformity with the standards referred to above, the Government established a Committee on Social Security Reform with the mandate of preparing a draft revision of the Social Security Code (Ministerial Order No. 12/CAB.MIN/TPS/DC/FMK/066/04 of 8 December 2004). In 2005, by Decree No. 05/176 of 24 November, the Government also created the National Social Protection Support Programme (PNPS).

The Committee notes that, according to the information provided by the Government in its latest report, it has not been possible to finalize the reform of the social security system as the body responsible for approving the draft of the new Social Security Code, the National Labour Council, is experiencing financial difficulties in holding its 30th Session. It also notes that the Government has availed itself of ILO technical assistance for the preparation of the draft text of the new Social Security Code, and that this assistance covered, among other matters, the reinforcement of the institutional capacities of the National Social Security Institute and the extension of social protection to populations hitherto not covered.

The Committee trusts that the Government will take all the necessary measures to finalize the reform of social security in the near future. It also hopes that the Government will provide detailed information in its next report due in 2012 on the manner in which the legislation gives effect to Convention No. 102, and on any difficulties encountered in practice in the application of the Convention. Please provide a copy of the new Social Security Code or the draft text approved by the National Labour Council, as appropriate.