RWAMAGANA – The Association of Genocide Widows in the Eastern Province, AVEGA- Agahozo, has refuted recent reports that the association violates workers’ rights as it is alleged to be operating independent of the workers’ trade union (SENJOUSMEL).

Speaking to The New Times over the allegations, Odette Kayirire AVEGA’s provincial coordinator said the accusations are baseless. 

"We respect workers’ rights and we appreciate the importance of trade unions. It is absolutely wrong, for any one to accuse us of failing to cooperate with the worker’s trade union,” she said. 

The chairman of SENJOUSMEL, the umbrella union that brings together teachers, journalists, medical personnel and other workers in the private sector, Abdon Nkotanyi, had said AVEGA refused to cooperate with them, hence leaving the workers hired by AVEGA vulnerable to abuse. 

However, Kayirire said their recruitment and dismissal procedures follow standard norms. 

"The records are clear testimony on how we operate. Let no body tell lies against us,” She said. "We are ready to cooperate with any trade union which is ready to work with us.”

According Nkotanyi, AVEGA and ASPEJ College also operating in Rwamagana district have been blacklisted by SENJOUSMEL for refusing to join the trade union. 

AVEGA- Agahozo employs 70 workers in the Eastern province alone. 

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