Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1997, published 86th ILC session (1998)

Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87) - Rwanda (Ratification: 1988)

1. Prohibition of the right to strike in the public service. Recalling that restrictions or prohibition of the right to strike in the public service should be restricted to public servants who are exercising authority in the name of the State, the Committee notes from the information supplied by the Government in its report that the general conditions of service of employees of the State are being amended and that, in order to take into account the observations of the Committee of Experts, the Government intends to amend section 26 of the Legislative Decree of 19 March 1974 issuing the general conditions of service of employees of the State which, in its present wording, forbids state employees to take part in strikes or in activities aimed at causing a strike in the state services. The Committee requests the Government to supply in its next report the draft of the amendment to section 26.

2. Hindrance with respect to the election of trade union representatives. Referring to its previous comments, the Committee notes with interest that the draft labour code being submitted, according to the Government's report, amends the provisions of section 8 of the Code prohibiting election of non-Rwandans to trade union office. Section 67(2), of the draft provides that foreign workers may be elected to trade union office after a period of residence of at least five years in the country and subject to their number not exceeding one-third of the members of the organization's management and administration committee.

The Committee requests the Government to supply in its next report information on any progress made in these spheres.

The Committee is also addressing a direct request on other points to the Government.