A coalition of business organizations in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is urging the government to suspend the second phase of a new minimum wage increase.

During an August 21 meeting, a group of employer organizations, including the Federation of Businesses of the Congo (FEC), the National Association of State Portfolio Companies (ANEP),, ), the National Federation of Small and Medium Enterprises of Congo (FENAPEC), and the Confederation of Small and Medium Enterprises of the Congo (COPEMECO), asked Ferdinand Massamba wa Massamba, the new Minister of Employment and Labor, to halt the planned increase to 21,500 Congolese francs per day starting in January 2026.

The new minimum wage, for an ordinary laborer, represents a 204% increase over the previous rate of 7,075 FC set in 2018. The change is being implemented in two stages: a rise to 14,500 FC per day since late May 2025, followed by the final increase to 21,500 FC in January 2026.

The decree also maintains a 1 to 10 wage ratio between an ordinary laborer and a senior manager, which automatically raises salaries across all professional categories. For example, a senior manager's daily wage would increase from 70,750 FC to 215,000 FC.

The business groups are calling the wage ratio "disproportionate" and "unsuitable," arguing that it would lead to an "exponential and suicidal" increase in payroll costs for businesses. They are also requesting an exemption from professional taxes on wages.

The organizations also expressed concern about the lack of tax relief for the agribusiness and pastoral sectors, which they say would help them implement the new minimum wage. They also noted the failure to implement a recommendation from the 37th session of the National Labor Council to suspend the income tax on housing allowances. The employers also pointed to certain financial penalties imposed by the Kinshasa Revenue Authority (DGRK) stemming from a 2023 provincial order.

The FEC had previously proposed 13 fiscal and parafiscal relief measures for the agribusiness and pastoral sectors. These measures, reviewed by the Economic, Finance, and Reconstruction Commission on February 24, 2025, are still awaiting a presidential decree to take effect.

In response, Minister Massamba acknowledged the employers' concerns and asked them to submit a memorandum with specific proposals. He also instructed the General Labor Inspectorate to publicize the minimum wage decree before conducting any company inspections.

Ronsard Luabeya