Ministry warns against harassment of employees

Employees who are mistreated repeatedly by their employers should report to relevant authorities and disciplinary action be taken against such errant bosses, the Minister of Public Service and Labour, Anastase Murekezi has advised.If companies, the minister said, are discovered to have harassed employees several times, the ministry will be forced to close them down.Murekezi sounded the warning as Rwanda together with the international community, yesterday, marked the World Day for safety and health at work.This year’s theme is “Promotion of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) in a Green Economy”.Speaking to The Sunday Times, Murekezi said his ministry would make sure that every employer gives better working conditions to their employees.The ministry urges both employees and employers to continue observing measures aimed at promoting occupational health and safety. According to Murekezi, the law on the occupational health and safety was approved by cabinet last year and will curb the injustices practiced by some employers.The law protects employees, especially pregnant women and breast feeding mothers from working in unfavorable environment at their work places or being unfairly relieved of their duties during such times. The warning comes after several complaints from women who say that they are mistreated by their employers and are not given maternity leave when pregnant or in need to breastfeed their babies.Current records from the Workers’ Trade Union (CESTRAR), a body charged with advocating for better conditions of employees; indicate that about 80 per cent of the 250 cases currently before them involve illegal dismissal of employees.The CESTRAR’s legal officer, Francois Butera, said that between 250 and 300 cases registered per year are hinged on unfair dismissal of workers.According to CESTRAR, the unfair treatment of employees is as result of employees being very ignorant on what the labour law says about their rights.