03.05.2021. More than 1.000 fair trade job opportunities provide 10.000 people with the means to build their future with dignity in one of the most remote regions of the Republic of Congo. That is but one of the solutions that 'Sustainable Hardwood Made in Africa', INTERHOLCO's flagship product, delivers.
The employment situation in the Republic of Congo has developed very erratically and in sharp contrast to the country's wealth potential. According to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), the proportion of the population in RoC living below the poverty line (1.25 USD a day) fell from 50.1% in 2005 to 46.5% in 2011. The incidence of poverty, which affects women more than men, is 74.8% in rural areas compared to 32.3% in urban areas.
A family evening at Mr. Basile's, IFO driver residing in the village of Ngombe
However, the cost of living in RoC is high: food expenditure in a big city like the capital Brazzaville is around 50 EUR per person per month. One kilo of oranges at the height of the season amounts to 2,000 CFA, or 3 EUR. A kilo of bananas costs 1.5 EUR. Dessert, for example a mango at 0.45 EUR each, is considered a luxury. The average price of a three-bedroom flat is 75 EUR /month. This does not include the cost of medical insurance, children's schooling and transport.
And in the village of Ngombe? How are workers who have chosen the timber trade faring?
Thanks to harvesting wood according to the socio-environmental criteria of FSC® certification, the most demanding currently available, IFO employees and their families living in the village of Ngombe enjoy a wealth of benefits:
Find out more: https://bit.ly/IHC-ALLIANCE
See you on Thursday with an interview with Mr. Gbalondo, IFO employee working at the heavy wood mill.
INTERHOLCO offers Sustainable Hardwood 'Made in Africa' as a responsible solution to promote better living conditions (construction with wood), reduce climate change, and increase social justice. As FSC-certified producer specialized in producing and trading logs, sawn timber, glued laminated scantlings and other products, INTERHOLCO manages the entire chain, from forest to customers since 1962. Harvesting wood selectively, INTERHOLCO protects 1.1 million hectares of natural forest from permanent conversion to agricultural land, giving 16’000 local inhabitants access to quality basic services and keeping the habitat of thousands of gorillas and elephants.
Communications contact INTERHOLCO
Tullia Baldassarri Höger von Högersthal
INTERHOLCO AG, Schutzengelstr. 36, 6340 Baar, Switzerland
Tel.: +41 (0)41 767 03 82
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
