A few days before the March 15 presidential election, the expectations of Congolese citizens are largely focused on social issues. Unpaid salaries, difficulties in public companies, access to healthcare, and youth unemployment are among the concerns expressed by citizens. In Brazzaville, employees of the Congolese Postal and Savings Company (SOPECO) are making their voices heard.
In front of the premises of the Congolese Postal and Savings Company (SOPECO) in Brazzaville, the social situation of the workers illustrates the difficulties faced by some public enterprises. Postal workers say they have accumulated more than 60 months of unpaid salaries. After several months of mobilization, they recently decided to suspend their protest movement in order to prioritize social dialogue as the presidential election approaches.
“We are demanding the payment of our arrears. We have 63 months of unpaid salaries. We are also denouncing the poor management of the institution. We are protesting against arbitrary reclassifications, because some reclassifications were indeed arbitrary. We are also calling for pro-rata payments. Why shouldn’t we also benefit during the next term in office? That is what we hope for. We will welcome the new president in every respect, but he must also look into the problem of the postal service. That is also one of our demands.”
VOX POP
The workers also denounce what they consider poor management of the institution, arbitrary reclassifications, as well as disputes surrounding the Postal Bank, in which the postal service is a minority shareholder. According to them, better governance and the recovery of dividends linked to this stake could help restore the company. Beyond the situation at SOPECO, the Congolese citizens interviewed in this vox pop express broader expectations. Many hope that the next president will give priority to the social sector, particularly by improving the functioning of public enterprises and settling salary or pension arrears.
“First of all, whoever is elected, no matter who it is, what we want is for things to improve, for there to be significant progress, especially in the public sector. The public institutions and companies that are facing problems and have many arrears need changes in the system, and priority should be given to that. Attention must also be given to retirement and pensions. All of these are issues that need to be addressed. There are many things that need fixing.”
“There are no jobs; young people and the elderly are suffering. For example, retirees have gone many months, sometimes up to 50 months without being paid. Young people are also struggling to find work. Some of them are married and are suffering as well. If the country’s new head of state could look into these problems, that would be a good thing.”
VOX POP
Amid persistent unemployment and economic difficulties, many hope that the next term in office will bring concrete solutions. In the streets of Brazzaville, one message keeps coming up: the future president will be judged on his ability to improve living conditions and respond to the social emergencies facing Congolese citizens.
