The Rwanda Mining Association (RMA) has received legal status in a move aimed at further streamlining the mining sector.Although the association has been operating normally, lack of a legal status prevented it from having enough influence on issues that affect the sector, such as minimum wages for miners, collective bargaining power and more, according to the association’s President, Jean Malik Kalima.“The mining fraternity worked closely with the Private Sector Federation (PSF) to ensure that it has all the necessary requirements to gain the legal status. We are proud to have moved a great step forward,” Kalima told The New Times yesterday in an interview.“We can now operate under the right structures, which are fully operational to protect the rights and obligations of the sectors’ players, both the employees and the employers”. The Workers Trade Union (CESTRAR) welcomed the association’s new status, saying it will help to solve issues raised by employees.“It was not easy tracking the way miners were treated by their employees, whether they always have protective gear while at work or whether they have good wages. In the past, we had issues with some mining companies that failed to respect labour laws, but by acquiring a legal status, it is a sign that the sector is becoming more organized,” Eric Manzi, the Executive Secretary of CESTRAR, said.Rwanda’s mining sector fetched over $150 million in foreign earnings last year, $11million more than tea and coffee combined.
