DRC'S NEW LEADING LABOR UNION

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KINSHASA 000398 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS LABOR FOR ANNE ZOLLNER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ELAB ECON PGOV PINR CG SUBJECT: DRC'S NEW LEADING LABOR UNION Ref: 05 Kinshasa 1578 ¶1. (SBU) Summary. The successor to the Mobutu-era's single trade union has lost its place as the nation's leading labor organization to a better-organized, savvier competitor, the Confederation Syndicale du Congo (CSC). During a meeting with EconOff March 6, the CSC's president, Symphorien Dunia, outlined his union's organizational and political plans, mused on the presidential contenders' prospects, and shared his views on the 2006 DRC budget. Although union influence will not increase significantly in the near-term, unions are making a step toward increased political involvement. End summary. ¶2. (U) January 10, the Ministry of Labor published the results of union elections that took place nationwide in hundreds of private and state enterprises and schools during the last half of 2005. Voter participation was substantial and enthusiastic, though elections reportedly did not occur in ministries. Of 117 syndicates that participated, the top three vote-earning unions were the CSC, UNTC (Union Nationale des Travailleurs du Congo),and OTUC (Organisation des Travailleurs Unis du Congo). CSC won 2531 seats via 40,173 votes, UNTC earned 1542 seats with 31,098 votes, and OTUC won 914 seats with 13,041 votes. CSC is now the dominant union in eight of eleven provinces. The Confederation Democratique du Travail (CDT),previously one of the top three unions, slipped to fourth place. (Note: Each workplace has from three to twenty union representatives, depending upon the number of employees. The top twelve unions form the Intersyndicale Congolais (reftel),although this group has yet to prove itself effective. End note.) ¶3. (SBU) Dunia attributes CSC's win to its strong campaign efforts and a record of success on behalf of workers. Conversely, the UNTC (the former lead union and successor to the Mobutu-era's single trade organization) reportedly lost support due to its failure to represent its members effectively. The UNTC did not respond effectively to workplace disciplinary actions nor force employers' compliance with collective bargaining agreements that increased salaries and provided medical benefits. ¶4. (SBU) Union elections, last held in 2001, also afforded unions the opportunity to assess their membership rolls and nationwide organizational capacity. Dunia estimates that CSC now has 30,000 to 40,000 formal-sector workers who call themselves members, and claimed there are as many as 300,000 total members (not all dues-paying),when informal-sector workers are included. (Comment: The latter figure is probably overly optimistic. End comment.) Dunia said that CSC's plans include improving intra-organizational communication and infrastructure and increasing training opportunities for members to build institutional capacity and advocacy skills. CSC is already receiving support from CSC-Belgium in the form of equipment and training funds. CSC has a long way to go in equipping its provincial offices if its bare skeleton of an office in Kananga is any indication (septel). ¶5. (U) Though noting that the CSC, by its own statute, is apolitical, Dunia said the CSC holds the institutional seat as Vice President for External Relations of the Front Social des Independents (FSI),a civil society group composed of major labor unions, NGOs and religious leaders. Dunia said that FSI will present candidates for the DRC's national, provincial and local elections. He also said that in his capacity as CSC President he has made a point to promote voter participation during his travels in the DRC. ¶6. (SBU) Dunia shared his views of the potential presidential candidates. He said that Joseph Kabila is the clear front-runner because he has significant support in eastern Congo as a result of his reputation as a "peacemaker" and unifier who removes himself from petty frays. He dismissed Vice President Jean-Pierre Bemba's chances as well as the RCD's (without specifically mentioning a candidate),simply stating "they have some accounts to settle with the people." He said that Vice President Z'ahidi Ngoma wants to run, but has inadequate support. KINSHASA 00000398 002 OF 002 ¶7. (SBU) Turning to discussion of the DRC's finances, Dunia called the GDRC's 2006 budget "suicidal and anti-social." Unsurprisingly, he said that the budget neglects health, education and other social spending in favor of expenses for the Espace Presidentiel and other less pressing needs. He called the 2005 6.6 percent GDP growth rate "theoretical," explaining that average Congolese were not experiencing any increase in their standard of living. Comment -------------- ¶8. (SBU) Union elections are a positive exercise in the democratic process. Until economic conditions improve substantially, however, most unions will likely make little progress, as the GDRC and private sector employers currently lack the resources and will to increase salaries and benefits. Dunia may be an interesting leader to watch, as he is well-known, affable, media savvy, relatively articulate, a good organizer and has a clear economic and political vision. End comment. MEECE