• Authorities launch nationwide checks on companies employing foreign workers

• Firms given 30 days to comply with labor rules or face sanctions

• Move comes as youth employment pressures continue to mount

The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo has launched a nationwide effort to curb the illegal employment of foreign workers, as authorities step up enforcement of labor regulations.

In a statement released April 11, the Ministry of Employment and Labor said it would begin immediate inspections targeting companies that fail to comply with national hiring rules. Officials cited ongoing violations, including the recruitment of expatriates without prior authorization and their placement in positions reserved for Congolese workers.

Authorities warned that such practices are considered serious offenses. Inspection teams will conduct unannounced checks across the country, with companies found in violation facing measures such as the expulsion of foreign workers, partial or full suspension of operations, and possible legal action against company leaders.

Employers have been given 30 days to regularize the administrative status of their foreign employees. After this deadline, stricter penalties, including judicial proceedings, may be applied.

The ministry said it will no longer tolerate practices such as fraudulent hiring, abusive substitution of local labor, or the sidelining of national skills.

Rising pressure on the labor market

The crackdown comes at a time of growing strain on the labor market. According to a 2022 study by the Ministry of Planning, people aged 15 to 29 make up more than half of the working-age population. Their unemployment rate stands at 2.5%, compared with 1.4% for adults, while more than 60% of young job seekers face long-term unemployment.

The scale of the challenge is significant. The country will need to create about 9.6 million jobs by 2030 and nearly 35 million by 2050 to stabilize the labor market.

In response, the government is pursuing reforms aimed at strengthening vocational training, supporting youth entrepreneurship, and improving the business environment. In February, authorities completed the first phase of a national digital training program in Kinshasa targeting 250,000 young people.

At the same time, the National Agency for the Promotion of Investments (ANAPI) reported that 96 projects were approved in 2025, representing $5.13 billion in planned investment. These projects are expected to generate more than 8,000 direct jobs, contributing to efforts to reduce unemployment.

Charlène N’dimon