When it comes to work, as a child your main duty is to complete your education cycle. This way, you are able to realise your full potential and contribute to the development of the country. That is why there are laws in place to prevent children from being employed since employment will most likely interfere with their education. Article 4 of Law no. 13/2009 of 27/05/2009 regulating labour in Rwanda specifically condemns child labour stating: “It is prohibited to employ a child in any company, even as apprentice, before the age of sixteen (16).” This means that before you turn 16, you are not supposed to look for or be given any job regardless of its nature or location. If you are aged between 16 and 18, you may be employed but there are certain conditions which should be fulfilled for this to happen. One of the conditions is described in article 5 of law no. 13/2009 of 27/05/2009 regulating labour in Rwanda. It says, “The rest between two working periods for a child shall be of a minimum duration of twelve (12) consecutive hours.” This means that if for instance you work today, you are supposed to rest for twelve hours before you work again. Another condition is that you shall only be subject to the work which is proportionate to your capacity. This is stated in article 6 of the law regulating labour in Rwanda. The explanation is that “a child cannot be employed in the nocturnal, laborious, unsanitary or dangerous services for his/her health as well as his/her education and morality.” This means that bartending, being a night guard, mining, managing a brothel and other jobs that interfere with your health, education and general welfare are out of the question. In order to determine your capacity to do particular work, article 7 of law no. 13/2009 of 27/05/2009 says, “The labor inspector can request for the examination of the children by a recognised doctor, in order to verify if the work with which they are entrusted is neither beyond their strengths and or harmful to their health.” The above-mentioned examination is to be done before you get employed because if it is discovered that there was no compliance, your employment is terminated and the employer dealt with accordingly. The Penal Code specifies the legal actions taken against people who involve children in different inappropriate forms of employment. For instance, article 220 of the Penal Code states: “Any person who engages a child in narcotic drugs and arms trafficking or in the trade of other illegal products shall be liable to a term of imprisonment of two (2) years to five (5) years and a fine of one million (1,000,000) to five million (5,000,000) Rwandan francs.”
