I. Introduction
In the Democratic Republic of Congo [DRC] a new Labour Code was introduced since 16th October 2002 applicable to all employees as well as to all employers operating in that country.[1]
Every employment contract shall either be a fixed term contract or an open-ended contract. In absence of a written contract, the contract shall be presumed open-ended until evidence of the contrary in writing.
II. Nature and duration of a fixed term contract
In view of protecting employees, a fixed term contract cannot exceed a period of 2 years, reduced to 1 year if the employee is married and separated from his family, or when he is widower/widow or divorced and separated from any children under his custody.
Furthermore, a fixed term contract can only be renewed once - except in case of seasonal work and other situations to be determined by Ministerial decree- and any violation of the requirements set out here leads to the immediate conversion into an open-ended contract.
III. Conditions of termination of fixed term contract in DRC
In the DRC, both the employer and the employee can terminate every employment contract but termination cannot be done freely and is subject to a strict regime. [Articles 61 to 78 Labour Code].
Concerning the termination of fixed term contracts, the subject of the matter; we should note that these contracts always end by expiration of the term for which they were initially concluded, and any clause stipulating the possibility of giving notice is null and void. Therefore, every premature termination of fixed-term contracts gives rise to compensation. [ Article 70 Labour Code]
IV. Conclusion
Article 70 of the Congelese Labour Code states that when the fixed term contract is terminated by the employer, compensations equivalent to salaries and advantages that the employee was entitled in normal situation should be pay to him/her during the remaining period up to the end of the fixed contract.
In other words, if the employer terminates the fixed term contract of an employee few months to the end of the contract, the employer will pay for the remaining months that didn’t take place.
