Trade Union Confederation of Congo

The Trade Union Confederation of Congo (Confédération Syndicale du Congo, CSC) is one of the most powerful inter-professional trade union confederations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). It was created in Kinshasa on 7 February 1991, less than a year after the 24 April 1990 speech that announced the democratisation of the country's political life and restored trade union pluralism. It is registered under ministerial act No. 017/91 of 7 February 1991, in accordance with the Labour Code provisions on professional relations, which derive from ILO Convention No. 87 on freedom of association and the protection of the right to organise. The CSC is an independent organisation working to defend the social, economic and professional rights of workers. It states that it has more than 1.5 million members and positions itself as an essential pillar of the Congolese trade union movement. Its headquarters are located at 461 Avenue Kasa-Vubu in the Gombe commune of Kinshasa, and may be transferred elsewhere in the DRC by decision of its congress. The CSC is affiliated with the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC). The confederation's basic doctrine is Christian social teaching, which places the human person at the centre of its action. It fights for a society founded on social justice and the equitable sharing of national wealth. It declares itself independent of political parties, governments and churches, while respecting the freedom of conscience and thought of its members. It supports any government whose action satisfies the legitimate aspirations of the working and peasant masses. The CSC's stated purpose is the study, defence and development of the professional interests and the social, economic and moral progress of its members. Its goals include bringing together all intellectual and manual workers, labourers and peasants without distinction of sex, nationality or religion; defending and promoting the legitimate interests of workers and constantly improving their living and working conditions; seeking conditions conducive to a new, equitable economic and social order based on justice and respect for workers; and providing permanent education for workers. Its means of action include representing workers in all economic, social and political bodies at national and international level; participating in national planning commissions; fighting for the obtaining and respect of statutes and collective agreements guaranteeing career security, fair pay and better social security; creating schools and organising courses, seminars, internships, conferences and training sessions; organising and encouraging mutual aid societies, social works, cooperatives and companies; creating a trade union press and publishing works; and maintaining and developing its organisational structures. On its website, the CSC presents a range of services for workers in both the formal and informal sectors, including round-the-clock legal assistance, mobilisation spaces for union assemblies and training workshops, training and seminars, a social cafeteria, and a digital solidarity network. It informs and supports workers on wages, leave, safety and status, and acts against abusive dismissal, discrimination and precarious working conditions.

The Trade Union Confederation of Congo (Confédération Syndicale du Congo, CSC) was created in Kinshasa on 7 February 1991, under the name "Confédération Syndicale du Congo ACKIM MATANDA". Its creation came less than a year after the speech of 24 April 1990, in which the democratisation of the country's political life was announced and trade union pluralism was restored. It was registered under ministerial act No. 017/91 of 7 February 1991, in accordance with the provisions of Title XVI, Chapter I of the Labour Code concerning professional relations, which derive from ILO Convention No. 87 on freedom of association and the protection of the right to organise. The CSC established its headquarters at 461 Avenue Kasa-Vubu in the Gombe commune of Kinshasa, with the possibility of transferring it to any other location in the DRC by decision of its congress. From its foundation, the confederation adopted Christian social teaching as its basic doctrine, placing the human person at the centre of its action and fighting for a society founded on social justice and the equitable sharing of national wealth. Over the decades, the CSC has grown into one of the most powerful inter-professional trade union confederations in the DRC. It states that it has more than 1.5 million members and positions itself as an essential pillar of the Congolese trade union movement. It is affiliated with the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC). The confederation has developed a range of services for workers in both the formal and informal sectors. Its website presents round-the-clock legal assistance, mobilisation spaces for union assemblies and training workshops, training and seminars, a social cafeteria, and a digital solidarity network. It informs and supports workers on wages, leave, safety and status, and acts against abusive dismissal, discrimination and precarious working conditions. Its means of action include representing workers in all economic, social and political bodies at national and international level; participating in national planning commissions; fighting for the obtaining and respect of statutes and collective agreements; creating schools and organising courses, seminars, internships, conferences and training sessions; organising and encouraging mutual aid societies, social works, cooperatives and companies; creating a trade union press and publishing works; and maintaining and developing its organisational structures.

• 1991

  Creation of the Confédération Syndicale du Congo ACKIM MATANDA in Kinshasa on 7 February 1991.

• 1991

  Registration under ministerial act No. 017/91 of 7 February 1991.

• 1990

  Speech of 24 April 1990 announces democratisation of political life and restores trade union pluralism in the DRC.

Independent, powerful inter-professional trade union confederation defending workers' rights in the DRC, with over 1.5 million members.

• 24/7 legal assistance

  A jurist available for professional emergencies.

• Mobilisation spaces

  Rooms dedicated to union assemblies and training workshops.

• Training and seminars

  Strengthening union skills and raising awareness of labour issues.

• Social cafeteria

  A meeting and debate place for members.

• Digital solidarity network

  Access to a digital platform to exchange and act together.

1. 1CSC-Confédération Syndicale du Congo – Notre force, c'est vous !csc.cd
2. 2Services – CSC-Confédération Syndicale du Congocsc.cd
3. 3Trade Union Confederation of Congowikidata.org
4. 4Confédération syndicale du Congofr.wikipedia.org