With an intention to prioritise the well-being of its workforce, the Government of Rwanda, through the Ministry of Public Service and Labour, has launched a radical Workplace Wellness Program, developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC), Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB), the Private Sector Federation (PSF), and trade unions. Its purpose is to improve occupational health and safety while driving productivity across all sectors of the economy in Rwanda. The programme is a tribute to Rwanda’s allegiance to international labor standards, particularly the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention on the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health. This 2009 convention requires each member state to formulate, implement, monitor, evaluate and periodically review a national programme on occupational safety and health in consultation with the most representative organisations of employers and workers. With the ratification of the ILO convention, Rwanda has coagulated its devotion to creating safer, healthier, and more productive workplaces. The Workplace Wellness Program is premeditated to address a wide range of occupational health and safety issues, from preventing workplace hazards to promoting the mental and physical well-being of employees. Employers are required to provide personal protective equipment, conduct regular health and safety training, and ensure that workplaces are free from overcrowding, noise pollution, and other risks. The programme also obliges annual medical check-ups for employees exposed to hazardous conditions, with the costs of such check-ups fully covered by employers. These compliance requirements are imposed by the Rwandan Labor Code, the Ministerial Order on Health, Safety, and Environment, the Ministerial Order on Employee Representatives, the Law Protecting Disabled Persons, among others. To ensure accountability, the Ministry of Labour has urged all organisations, including private companies and non-profits, to submit progress reports on the implementation of the programme by the initial deadline of March 7, 2025, with quarterly updates every three months thereafter. These progress reports will enable the Government of Rwanda to assess the programme’s effectiveness and make needed adjustments. Today, investing in employee well-being is not just a moral obligation but a strategic business decision that every organisation should prioritise. Studies have shown that organisations that prioritise workplace wellness experience lower absenteeism, higher employee engagement, and increased productivity. With the adoption of a culture of safety and health, businesses can alleviate the negative impact of poor working conditions and create environments where employees flourish. Human resources managers play a fundamental role in this programme. As specified in the 2023 Ministerial Order on Health, Safety, and Environment, HR managers are responsible for overseeing Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) committees and ensuring the successful implementation of wellness policies. Article 119 of the Labour Code imposes penalties for violations related to occupational health and safety. For individuals who, through clumsiness, carelessness, inattention, negligence, failure to observe the rules or any other lack of precaution, cause danger, the penalty ranges from an imprisonment for a term between six months to two years, and a fine ranging between Rwf500,000 and Rwf2,000,000 or one of these penalties. If the offense results in death of the victim(s) and the perpetrator is convicted, the penalty increases to imprisonment for a term ranging from two to five years and a fine ranging from two Rwf2,000,000 to Rwf5,000,000 or one of these penalties. For companies, institutions, public or private organisations, and associations, they are only liable to the above fine which is doubled. In addition to the above penalties, for the purpose of preserving national interests, the Minister of Public Service and Labour has the authority to temporarily close enterprises that fail to comply with occupational health and safety regulatory requirements. The Workplace Wellness Program is not only an initiative of the Government of Rwanda but also a collaborative effort involving employers, employees, and trade unions. All organisations operating in Rwanda are encouraged to actively participate in developing wellness policies, implementing preventive health measures, and advancing a culture that prioritises employee well-being, thereby upholding safer, and healthier workplaces for employees. The writer is a Corporate and Legal Services Lead at Andersen in Rwanda.
