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DR Congo civil servants to petition parliament to remove PM

Xinhua, April 15, 2016 Adjust font size:

Civil servants in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), through the Public Administration Independent Union (SIAP), plan to petition the country's parliament to suspend Prime Minister Matata Ponyo, union sources said on Thursday.

SIAP spokesman Rachidi Kayombo accused the prime minister of putting in place a system that will lead to massive retirement within the public service.

"We have the latest letter from Public Service Minister Pascal Ishombisho which was also copied to the president," Kayombo said.

"The letter alleges that we supported the prime minister's move to adopt a system that will lead to massive retirement within the public service, to allow for the entry of what he calls young talented professionals to create better standards," he said, adding that this was an illegality.

He expressed opposition to the move by the head of government, noting that it violates the Constitution.

In this regard, the unions plan to collect at least 100,000 signatures from civil servants between April 12 to 20, 2016 and put it before parliament.

Kayombo equally accused the government of having used this system since January this year to dismiss about 410 state officials.

"We believe enough is enough. At this moment, every civil servant should take action that will force the government to rescind the decision, thus averting social unrest in the country," the trade unionist said. Enditem