THIS year’s Labour Day cerebrations in Rwanda will focus on encouraging people to develop hands-on skills so as to create employment opportunities.

Addressing journalists Friday, Samuel Mulindwa, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Public Service and Labour, said that the day will be celebrated at institutional level. There will be no function at the Petit Stade as had been previously announced.

He added that this year the people will celebrate the day in their institutions and there will be a social dialogue between employers and their employees.

"We want the employers to meet with their employees and give them a chance to raise their problems at work and address them,” noted Mulindwa.

The permanent secretary stressed that the International Labour Organization (ILO) has not yet announced this year’s theme for the Labour Day but that the government of Rwanda has chosen its theme as "Hands-on skills; key to employment”.

He explained that his ministry is going to put much emphasis on the development of entrepreneurship skills, creativity and hands-on skills, because Rwandans have not been actively involved in technical and vocational training.

"Through hands-on, training many unemployed people will be equipped with technical skills needed in the labour market,” he said.

Mulindwa revealed that on May 1, the Ministry of Public Service and Labour (MIFOTRA), Rwanda Development Board (RDB), Workforce Development Authority (WDA) and the Private Sector Federation (PSF) will visit the best performing institutions and award them with prizes.

Mulindwa added that the goal of this program is to enhance employment opportunities in the country.

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