Youth representatives in different districts of the country have raised concerns over unemployment among the factors which are abetting corruption in the labour market.

The concern was raised during the Anti-corruption Youth Congress which discussed the role of youth in preventing and fighting against corruption as part of the country’s broader 2050 vision.

Held on December 7 in Kigali, the congress was under the theme; "Eradicating Corruption to Achieve Sustainable Development.

Youth representatives who talked to The New Times said that unemployment with youth striving to seek jobs is triggering bribery, especially sexual corruption mainly out of desperation for work.

Participants during the Anti-corruption Youth Congress which discussed the role of youth in preventing and fighting against corruption as part of the country’s broader 2050 vision

"Both the jobless youth and employers or service providers have to jointly play a big role in fighting corruption,” said Josue Niyomutabazi, a youth coordinator in Nyanza district.

Unemployment among the youth was 22.4 per cent, higher than the 17.9 per cent of the overall unemployment rate in the country according to a 2020 survey by the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR).

He said that jobless young girls are becoming victim of sexual corruption as they strive for seeking jobs.

"The young girls are not also vulnerable to corruption while seeking jobs but also those who are still at university, they face sex-based corruption as their teachers promise grades according to witnesses,” he noted.

He said there is a need for heightened awareness campaigns to teach youth and young girls about their rights while teaching them to expose corruption.

The congress was under the theme_ "Eradicating Corruption to Achieve Sustainable Development.

The campaign, he said, also looks at different institutions, employers and service providers adding that punishing those involved in bribery will be a good lesson to eradicate corruption.

"People need more knowledge on how to report corruption cases. In this fight, youth who comprise over 60 percent of the population are the great weapons to reach many people. Youth have capacity and technology to use,” he noted.

Niyomutabazi said that there is a need for gathering as many youth as possible into cooperatives and be trained on job creation to fight unemployment among themselves adding coping with joblessness could reduce corruption on the labour market.

"Youth need to learn TVET skills that could enable them to create jobs,” he said.

Joyce Manishimwe, a youth coordinator in Huye district reiterated that unemployment among the youth especially is a factor that is making youth vulnerable to corruption.

"Sexual corruption is a big threat to young girls which occurs as they strive to seek jobs,” she said.

She said that youth should be at the forefront of battle to fight corruption starting with their age mates, relatives and the community surrounding them.

"Youth are the ones who should help the country implement vision 2050 and vision 2050 with corruption could not be achieved,” she said.

The Ombudsman, Madeleine Nirere urged youth to join different groups that are playing a role in preventing corruption

She urged employers to recruit workers based on their quality and performance stressing that corruption could affect the labour market if not eradicated.

"There is a need for different mechanisms to help youth create their own jobs which try to solve problems affecting communities,” she said.

Minister of State in the Ministry of Youth and Culture, Edouard Bamporiki, reiterated that youth are pillars for the country’s socio-economic development explaining their role in fighting corruption is prerequisite.

"You can't strive for economic development without considering the youth and engaging them in fighting corruption,” he said.

He added that unemployment among the youth can be reduced by fighting against corruption.

"A country that has a stable economy continues to create new jobs for youth and thus curb unemployment,” he said.

The Ombudsman, Madeleine Nirere urged youth to join different groups that are playing a role in preventing corruption.

"Poor service delivery is a loophole for corruption. Youth can play a big role in exposing this,” she said.

She added heavy punishments will always be imposed on those who receive bribery from youth including those who solicit sexual corruption from young girls seeking jobs.