NORTHERN PROVINCE

GICUMBI— The vice president of the workers union, CESTRAR, Dative Mukaruzima, has called upon employers to respect workers’ rights. Speaking at a two-day seminar in Gicumbi last week, Mukaruzima said employers should give four days’ leave to employees who intend to hold marriage ceremonies, maternity leave of three months.

They must also provide equal salaries to both male and female workers performing the same duties as stipulated by international Labour Laws.

The seminar was organized by the ‘Gender and employment’ project under the Ministry of Public Service and Labour. It was aimed at sensitizing district staff on the importance of gender equality and the rights of workers.

Earlier, in his opening remarks, the district labour inspector Olivier Gakuba, stressed the importance of employers and employees respecting national and international labour laws.

"This is a very important opportunity for us to share ideas on the importance of gender equality and employees’ rights,” said Gakuba.

Yvette Nyinawumuntu , the Secretary for the handicapped in the ‘Gender and employment’ project, urged women to undertake income generating projects by acquiring loans from Microfinance banks, Banque Populaire for women, women cooperatives and international NGOs.

Participants called upon the government to amend laws which undermine women rights in job allocation.

"Women representation should be at least 30 percent or more in any establishment,” said Nyinawumuntu. The Gender and Employment project is sponsored by the Canadian Cooperation.

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