Promotion of Decent Work in the country’s Informal Economy launched in Rwanda

Kigali/Dar es Salaam (ILO News)

“…There is no doubt that the Five Year Decent Work Country Program and the Three Year Project, both for launch today will contribute to our efforts aimed at promoting labour rights and productive employment in Rwanda…”

This was said by the Minister for Public Service and Labour,

Hon. Fanfan Rwanyindo during officiating at the above launch event on 22 February 2018 in Kigali, Rwanda.

The five years Country Program (2018/22) which was jointly developed by government, representatives of employers and workers organizations, covers strategies to create quality employment opportunities, extension of social protection for all, promoting social dialogue, and promoting rights at work.

The three years project “Promotion of Decent Work in Rwanda’s Informal Economy” focuses on improved living conditions for the working poor, particularly women and youth, in the urban and semi-urban areas, and youth and women who are affected by underemployment and poor working conditions.

“…Both the Country Program and the Project build on the gains achieved through our joint efforts of promoting decent work and advancing the tenets of social justice...” said Hon. Rwanyindo.

The Minister further narrated that the launch of the Programme takes place at a time when unemployment in Rwanda calls for special attention and more efforts needed to alleviate the situation. According to the labour force survey 2017, the overall employment statistics are low with 54% of the workforce in employment of which 45.3% are female workers and 54.7% are male. Further the national unemployment rate is at 16.7 per cent, with female unemployment rate of 17.5% and male at 16.1%.

She further pointed out that, the benefits of decent work cannot therefore be over emphasised as they include provision of income, broader social and economic advancement, promotion of productive employment, and social protection benefits that target the most vulnerable groups.

On his part, the CEO of Private Sector Foundation (PSF), Rwanda, Mr. Stephen Ruzibiza, reiterated for a need to ensure that the economy creates employment opportunities for people, entailing sustainable poverty reduction and that employment should be treated as a driver for macro-economic reforms.

“…The Decent Work Country Programme is key to the facilitation of the creation of decent employment opportunities, strengthen labour market institutions and increase engagement of social partners to contribute to effective social dialogue for sound industrial relations...” he said.

Speaking at the same occasion, the Director for the ILO Office for the United Republic of Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi and Uganda, Mr. Wellington Chibebe commended the Government of Rwanda for having constantly integrated labour, employment and other workplace-related issues into the core of the country’s development frameworks over the past years despite lack of formal DWCPs. They include the Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategies (EDPRS), the National Employment Programme and the country’s Vision 2050.

He further stated that as from the latest labour force survey 2017, about 91% of total employment is still trapped in the informal economy, often associated with decent work deficits such as – high poverty levels, long working hours, absence of proper contracts and lack of stability and security of work, among others.

“…Decent work involves opportunities for work that are productive and deliver a fair income, provides security in the workplace and social protection for workers and their families; offers prospects for personal development and encourages social integration…” he added.

Development of DWCPs is based on priorities of constituents and national development objectives. They detail the policies, strategies and results required to realize progress, in each country, towards the goal of decent work for all. They are ILO governance documents at the country level, which, among others, specify the Office’s support to the constituents to achieve results as defined in Country Programme Outcomes during a specific time period in a country and in line with the outcome strategies in the organization’s programme and budget.