It is thanks to Wallonia-Brussels International and the Liberal Trade Union CGSLB that the National Union of Workers of Congo (UNTC) recently set up a new support structure for motorcycle taxi drivers in Kinshasa.
It was during a general meeting in December 2015 that the motorcycle taxi drivers decided to establish a trade union of motorcycle taxi drivers affiliated to the National Union of Workers of Congo and named Union of Professional Motorcycle Taxi Drivers.
The project manager, Guy Mpembele, Head of External Relations of the UNTC, explained the genesis of this project. "It is funded by Wallonia-Brussels International and coordinated by the Belgian Liberal Trade Union (CGSLB). The idea was triggered by the desire to extend the actions of the UNTC from the formal economy to the informal economy".
It all began with the realisation that workers in the informal economy are just like those in the formal sector, and also have the right to trade union support: defence of their socio-professional interests, training, etc.
The ideal pursued by the support for workers in the informal economy is to achieve decent working conditions: ensure ongoing social dialogue, guaranteed social protection and to secure respect for labour law and access to employment. Thus, the concept of decent work applies not only to workers in the formal economy, but also to employees in informal situations, and to the self-employed or those working from home.