The Rwanda Socialist Labour Party (PSR) elected a new executive committee on Saturday amidst calls for increased advocacy for better working conditions in the country.

As the new team assumes office, top on their agenda should be the pressing issue of revising the minimum wage, which remains a contentious issue not only in Rwanda but across the East African Community (EAC) region.

In Rwanda, workers are still subjected to an obsolete minimum wage, set at Rwf100 under the 1973 labour law, although government has promised to fix a new minimum wage that reflects the current cost of living before the end of the year.

However, it will take more than rhetoric from the workers party for this issue to be resolved.

There is need to involve all the key stakeholders to successfully come up with an appropriate remedy.

There is a feeling among workers that Labour Party is not doing enough to help articulate their challenges before the authorities. This is something the party needs to urgently address if it is to remain relevant.

But, as we await the revised minimum wage, employers should also be realistic and re-align salaries of workers with the current economic realities and living standards.

We don’t have to wait for a new minimum wage for workers to get a fair pay. A protracted campaign should be carried out by PSR, as a party that claims to and should represent the interests of workers, to engage employers on the need for reasonable remuneration.

Sensitisation drives in various organisations could go a long way in convincing employers to appreciate and help alleviate the plight of workers. The workers party should put more efforts in advocating for the rights of workers, especially those in the lowest paying jobs like casual labourers.