Labour cases against govt: Experts on how losses can be avoided

The National Public Service Commission (NPSC) has recommended mediation in employment disputes and continuous training for public institution leaders to curb unlawful administrative decisions that expose the government to costly court cases. The recommendations followed concerns raised by legislators over why public institutions continue to face employment-related lawsuits and what measures are available to hold officials accountable when their decisions expose the state to litigation. ALSO READ: Govt to pay Rwf1 billion in civil servant litigations Presenting the commission’s 2025/2026 performance report before a joint session of parliament on Wednesday, October 21, Acting Chairperson Barnabé Sebagabo said awareness campaigns alone would not be sufficient to address the problem. ALSO READ: Govt losses in unlawful labour cases rise by 20% During the session, Senator Frank Habineza questioned what was being done to prevent officials from involving the state in cases it subsequently loses, while also asking how public servants whose rights have been violated could obtain redress without having to resort to court action. Responding, Muhire pointed to existing legal provisions under which individuals whose decisions cause financial losses to the state through unsuccessful litigation may be required to bear the resulting costs personally. ALSO READ: Govt losses in unlawful labour cases rise by 20% Financial losses underline need for preventive measures The Commission’s analysis found that State institutions were ordered to pay Rwf83.1 million in damages, compensation and employee entitlements after losing 17 employment-related court cases. The amount compares with Rwf46.4 million paid in compensation and employee entitlements in the 2023/2024 fiscal year, when the government lost nine of 39 labour-related cases involving 45 employees across 22 institutions. For the latest analysis, the commission reviewed 40 cases decided during the 2024/2025 period, involving 45 employees across 22 State institutions. The state lost 17 cases and won 23. Of the Rwf83.1 million, Rwf68.3 million was awarded in damages and compensation, while Rwf14.8 million represented employee entitlements that workers would have received even if they had not taken their disputes to court. The commission also reported that State institutions incurred Rwf26.3 million in costs associated with cases decided in their favour, including legal representation and court follow-up expenses, up from Rwf8.2 million in the previous year. The findings point to the need to prevent disputes arising from administrative decisions that do not comply with public service laws, as well as to improve the handling of employees’ complaints before they escalate into litigation. Outdated job profiles, unlawful decisions flagged Beyond labour disputes, the Commission identified outdated job profiles, delays in responding to employees’ appeals and failure to implement its decisions on time among the challenges affecting public service management. Lawmakers also questioned whether recruitment requirements adequately reflect the responsibilities of advertised positions. MP Yvonne Mujawabega cited a school-feeding specialist position that included a law qualification among its requirements, questioning whether the academic background was relevant to the job. Muhire said the Commission checks whether public servants meet the prescribed requirements for their positions and plans to engage the Higher Education Council (HEC) to address mismatches between qualifications and labour market needs. “We are planning to have discussions with HEC to ensure that the education and skills given to students are fitting with the needs,” he said. The commission also called on leaders of State institutions to ensure that administrative decisions comply with public service laws and regulations, seek professional or legal advice where necessary, and respond promptly to employees’ appeals. It further urged institutions to implement its decisions without unnecessary delays and encouraged public servants to uphold professional standards.

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Labour cases against govt: Experts on how losses can be avoided