Let’s respect workers’ rights

IN February 2013, Jean Paul Habimana and five of his colleagues were laid off by the school where they were teaching. These teachers were dismissed without prior notice and without following the right procedures enshrined in the labour law. Luckily the workers were able to seek legal redress and the court has ordered the former employer to compensate them. But not many workers have been as lucky as the six teachers. Many workers in the country find themselves in similar circumstances but may not be aware of their rights. While a few like Habimana and company are aware of their rights and are ready to put up a fight, many just resign to fate and suffer silently. Rwanda is a signatory to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) convention which specifies the need to respect the rights of workers. Employers should respect these provisions. Laying off workers without prior notice, giving them no chance to be heard and without caring how they will survive thereafter should not continue unabated especially in the private sector. The grounds for dismissal of any worker should be solid enough and justice should not only be done but should also be seen to be done. In the capitalistic world where the employer is more concerned with profit rather than the welfare of employees, there is need to strengthen labour laws and also sensitise the workers about their rights. Dissuasive penalties including compensation of the workers in case of illegal dismissal should also be put in place to ensure that workers are respected and treated as an end in itself and not just a means to an end. However it is also the responsibility of the workers to meet the terms and conditions of the job. They should not hide under the cover of the labour law to conceal incompetence.

Opinions

Let’s respect workers’ rights