Henceforth, the offices of the State will be closed every Saturday. The Congolese public administration has just switched to a British-style workweek following a decree by the outgoing head of government. This means that the working hours for career agents in public services are now Monday to Friday, from 08:00 to 17:00, with a break at 12:00. These agents are required to be at their workstations by 08:00.
This regulatory act emphasizes that any agent arriving at work after 09:00 will be marked as absent, while those arriving between 08:00 and 09:00 are deemed to be late. Co-signed by the outgoing Minister of Public Service, Jean-Pierre Lihau, the decree also reintroduces sanctions. Except in cases directly related to the nature of the work, the use of personal phones and/or access to social networks during work hours is prohibited under penalty of disciplinary sanction that may include temporary exclusion for three months with loss of salary.
The decree mentions that an agent who accumulates six instances of lateness within a month will be reprimanded. If the number of late arrivals exceeds six within a month, the agent faces a more severe punishment other than dismissal.
However, this regulation specifies that for special services under the authority of a minister, the minister may, if necessary, establish specific working times in order to ensure their proper functioning.
Career agents of the public services were known for their lack of punctuality and irregular attendance. Several agents do not respect working hours or even the days they are supposed to work. If this decree is adhered to, it could boost the administration in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Dido Nsapu