• The government launches immediate nationwide inspections targeting illegal use of foreign labor.
• Companies face sanctions including expulsions, activity suspensions and legal action after a 30-day compliance deadline.
• High unemployment persists despite mining-driven growth, highlighting structural imbalances in the labor market.

The Democratic Republic of Congo has stepped up enforcement against companies that bypass local employment regulations, as authorities seek to reassert control over the labor market amid persistent unemployment.

The Ministry of Employment and Labor announced in an official statement signed on April 10 that it is taking “firm and immediate action to put an end to illegal practices linked to the abusive use of foreign labor.” The statement circulated widely on official social media channels.

Minister Ferdinand Massamba wa Massamba signed the document, which explicitly targets companies that “favor expatriate labor to the detriment of Congolese workers, in clear violation of existing regulations.”

Immediate nationwide inspections

The government has launched an immediate response. The statement says authorities have initiated “a reinforced and targeted national inspection operation without prior notice across the entire national territory.” Labor inspectors have deployed across all provinces.

Authorities state that any violations will trigger “immediate measures, including administrative expulsion of the workers concerned in collaboration with relevant services, as well as partial or total suspension of the activities of offending companies.”

Moreover, the government warns that company executives could face liability “in accordance with applicable laws.” Employers must comply within a strict 30-calendar-day deadline from the publication date. Authorities state that they will apply sanctions after this period, including potential referral to competent courts.

Two legal instruments govern the framework. Ministerial Order No. 075/CAB/MIN.ET/FMM/RK/10/2025 of October 9, 2025 penalizes any hiring of expatriates without prior authorization. Departmental Order No. 86/001 of March 31, 1986 prohibits foreigners from occupying jobs reserved for nationals.

A persistent economic paradox

This initiative comes as structural imbalances deepen in the Congolese economy. The mining sector accounted for 70% of real GDP growth and 90% of export revenues in 2024, according to the African Development Bank.

However, the World Bank reports that 74.6% of Congolese people lived below the poverty line on less than $2.15 per day. The institution also notes that one in six people living in extreme poverty in sub-Saharan Africa resides in the DRC.

In Kolwezi, expert Justine Kabwik warned in 2025 about youth unemployment. She stated that “7 out of 10 young people are unemployed while expatriates occupy positions in mining camps.” Analysts report similar trends in Kinshasa, Lubumbashi and Goma, according to consultancy firm Bahindwa.

Demographic pressure continues to intensify labor market tensions. Radio Okapi reported in May 2025 that the country needs to create 9.6 million jobs by 2030 to stabilize unemployment levels. The World Bank indicates that youth unemployment among those aged 15 to 24 reached 35%, while underemployment affects 50% of them.

Researchers from the Catholic University of Graben (UCG), writing in the International Journal of Social Sciences, state that “finding an unemployed university graduate is no longer an exception, but rather the rule” in the DRC. They highlight a mismatch between education and labor market needs.

Meanwhile, initiatives aim to address this gap. In July 2025, UNESCO organized a workshop in Kalemie under its Capacity Development for Education (CapED) program to identify high-potential training sectors.

The government states that it will anchor this enforcement drive within “a national policy of economic sovereignty.” It also aims to ensure “the protection of the Congolese labor market.” Authorities warn that “no form of fraud, abusive labor substitution, or marginalization of national skills” will be tolerated.

This article was initially published in French by Félicien Houindo Lokossou

Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum