Employees should use trade unions to realise their labour rights, Abdon Nkotanyi, the Secretary General of Rwandan Trade Union has said.

He described Rwandan employees as ‘still ignorant about their rights’ therefore are exploited and abused by employers.

He said Rwandan workers cannot push for their better salary, medical insurance, social security contribution and better working conditions because they are ignorant.

The remarks come shortly after the workers’ union successfully negotiated for Deutsche Welle Radio (DW) employees to get salary rise of 80 per cent. Some of the workers in this international radio station were being paid a paltry Frw30,000 yet their counter parts in German were getting better salaries.

"After long negotiations, finally, we came up with a strong concession", Nkotanyi said.

The negotiations have been ongoing—for over two years.

The union had earlier helped KK Security; Intersec employees and teachers to get a pay rise.

"Kenya is our role model," he said. Kenya trade union is aggressive in fighting for workers rights.

Rwanda trade union has potential membership of 15,000 but the active members are only 5,000.

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