CESTRAR, (the umbrella body of workers’ unions) has requested to organise the Labour Day celebrations because in other countries, the day is organised by the workers unions and not the relevant ministry.

The call was made yesterday during the union’s Labour Day celebrations at its premises in Kacyiru.

Speaking at the function, Abdon Nkotanyi, the Secretary General of Trade Unions in the Private Sector, said that Labour Day should be organized by the workers’ union not the Ministry of Public Service and Labour.

"I don’t know the reason why the workers’ union should not organize the day,” he said adding that the Ministry should partner with the union in the preparations.

He underscored that in the other EAC (East African Community) countries, the workers’ unions organize the day.

Eric Manzi, the union’s Secretary General, called upon its members to advocate for the rights of employees.

"Our mission is to defend the rights of the workers, so it is vital that we work together as union members,” Manzi said.
He described Rwandan employees as ‘still ignorant about their rights’ and are therefore exploited and abused by some employers.

The Labour Day cerebrations brought together all the union members from all the districts countrywide.

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