NGOMA - A trade union of teachers, journalists, medical personnel and other private sector workers known by its French acronym as SENJOUSMEL, has called on employers in the country to respect worker’s rights.

According to Abdone Nkotanyi, the director general of the union, there are institutions in the country which still mistreat their  employees.

"It is on record for example that ASPEJ Adventist School in Rwamagana does not pay workers on time. They take six months without pay,” he said. He was last week speaking at celebrations to mark the trade union’s 10 years of existence held at Ngoma district headquarters. Over 150 members of union attended the function.

"The provincial leadership of AVEGA-Agahozo in Rwamagana is equally uncooperative,” he added.

Alexandria Twahirwa, an official from the Ministry of Public Service and Labour wondered why some institutions were not cooperating with the union yet it is an obligation for them to be part of it.

"The new labour law will soon end the dilemma in which you are working. Every institution is subject to scrutiny by the Workers’ Trade Unions and this will be a legal obligation,” he said.

Narcissi Kayiranga, the national chairman of the trade union, assured the members of SENJOUSMEL of full cooperation. 

Kayiranga, said the main challenge facing worker’s unions is lack of cooperation from employers who view them as a threat, because they expose ills within institutions.

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