Rwanda, Congo sign social security cooperation deal

Rwanda and The Republic of the Congo on Friday inked a Memorandum of Understanding to facilitate social security benefits transfer for citizens who worked and those who might work in the other's country in the future.

Rwanda's Minister of Finance and Economic Planning and the Congo's Minister of Labour and Social Security Emile Ouosso signed the agreement on behalf of their respective government.

The agreement will enable employees of both countries in the future to easily access their pension and occupational hazards benefits through the social security institutions of their respective countries.

Under the deal, retired workers will be able to seek pension benefits and receive them in home country. Pensioners will benefit from their pension in accordance with the respective laws governing pension scheme.

Speaking at the event, Minister Gatete said the deal was good for both countries to ensure that workers easily get their due pension benefits.

"We have people who worked in Congo Brazzaville and retired. There are those who are still working there. We also have people from Brazzaville who could work in Rwanda owing to cordial relationship," he said.

The minister described the deal as a milestone in the cooperation between Rwanda and Congo Brazzaville.

Minister Emile Ouosso observed that retirees from either country need everything possible to ensure social protection.

He stressed the importance of bilateral relations in all sectors for the welfare of the peoples of both countries. Endit