SOUTHERN PROVINCE

NYANZA—Drama ensued Wednesday morning in Nyanza town as over 150 workers employed by the district stormed the headquarters demanding wages that still have not been paid.

Striking workers demanded audience with the Mayor Francois Munyankindi allege that the district has failed to pay them wage arrears for the last six months.

According to Evariste Kabera, one striking worker, a group of over 500 people were employed to construct terraces on 25 hectares of land in Rwabicubi Sector but have not been paid yet for their hard, manual labour.

"We met our part of the bargain but it is inconceivable to find that we have gone on unpaid for six months. Some officials keep telling us that money is available but it is the Mayor [Munyankindi] who has refused to sign for it,” said Kabera.

Efforts to get a comment from the Mayor proved futile as he was not in office and his cellular phone was switched off the whole day.

The terrace-making project mainly employs students, widows and people living with HIV/Aids. The crowd was however dispersed with the intervention from police and local defence personnel.

Asked about the plight of the striking workers, Governor Fidele Ndayisaba said he was unaware of the incident. He however said that if their claims are genuine, the workers should be paid without delay.

"These people spend a lot of their time making terraces. I do not see why they should not be paid on time. Even if there is a delay in getting their money, they should be told about it to avoid such incidents,” said Governor Ndayisaba.

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