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| Africa Subsaharan |
| 'Golden handshake' for DR Congo's outgoing ministers |
| 2019-02-02 |
| [PULSE.NG] Ministers in the outgoing government of now ex-president Joseph Kabila awarded themselves "golden-handshake" benefits in two decrees which were passed on November 24, that safeguarded lifetime cash payments. It was a highly controversial move in a country where millions of people live on less than $2 a day, but it also came with a proviso: that former ministers are "banned from divulging or revealing secrets of state". Outgoing Prime Minister Bruno Tshibala will receive a monthly housing allowance of $5,000 (4,400 euros) plus a separate monthly stipend -- amounting to 30 percent of his current salary -- for life. Such "advantages" for former prime ministers will be paid for by "the public treasury", it said. Tshibala will also have full-time bodyguards "for life", one plane ticket per year "in business class on international routes" and a new vehicle every five years. It does not specify a limit on the cost of the vehicle. Former members of the government will also be granted benefits "at the expense of the public treasury". Like the outgoing prime minister, they will receive a monthly allowance worth 30 percent of their current salaries and an international business class flight. They will also be granted a $1,000 housing allowance each month. In total, the decrees will benefit 71 ex-ministers, 11 former deputy ministers and two government secretaries, along with "personalities who carry out duties equivalent in rank to members of the government in the cabinet of the president of the republic and the cabinet of the prime minister". The payouts are in addition to a one-off "leaving office" payment that all former government ministers receive, equating to six months of salary and benefits. |
| Posted by:Fred |