The problem of human resources management in savings and credit cooperatives for civil servants in Burundi

Abstract

This study aims to identify the main HRM difficulties in civil servants' savings and credit cooperatives in Burundi. A qualitative study was carried out to collect data from July to September 2024 after obtaining authorization from the managers of these cooperatives. Sixteen semi-directive interviews were conducted with forty managers and middle managers of the Bujumbura branches of the four cooperatives studied, either in offices or meeting rooms.

As results related to the main HRM difficulties in the cooperatives studied, 68.75% of respondents find the existence of HRM informality, 50% speak of insufficient skills (low qualification), 62.5% experience insufficient staff (reduced number) dedicated to the HR function and 75% highlight the imbalance between professional and private life.

Faced with these challenges, it is desirable to formalize HRM practices by avoiding arbitrariness, planning human resources management activities and respecting legal and regulatory texts on recruitment. The human resources department should be valued by recruiting and assigning employees that meet the needs of the cooperatives studied in quantity and quality. Appropriate on-the-job training should be organized to improve the skills of employees in these cooperatives. Finally, additional efforts made by employees should be rewarded either in terms of time off or money. The installation of ATMs would relieve employees during public holidays. This study provides insight into the challenges of human resources management in the cooperatives studied. Future studies should consider a mixed methodology and extend to all agencies in the country to complete our results.

Keywords : HR difficulties in cooperatives, HR informality, Savings and Credit Cooperative, Burundi.

JEL Classification : M12

Type of article : Empirical research