Workers at the China Road and Bridge Corporation celebrate Labour Day on 1st of May for the first time

The China Road and Bridge Corporation (SNCTPC) began its activities in Rwanda in the 80s. Workers at this Chinese company never had any rights. They worked in poor conditions, were not registered for social security and were not entitled to bank holidays and particularly, Labour Day on the 1st of May.

This did not happen until the workers joined COTRAF

In 2011, SNCTPC workers became members of the COTRAF INDUSTRIE ET BATIMENT (Industry and Construction) in order to be able to join other workers in the fight for Decent Work. This struggle culminated in the signed of a collective labour agreement, a successful end to the negotiations with employers that lasted nearly all of 2012.
In this agreement, the SNCTCP has committed to:
1. Double pay for overtime worked.
2. Signing employment contracts with workers.
3. Establishing Internal Staff Regulations after consultation with trade union delegates.
4. Carrying out a salary review with a view to increasing workers’ wages.
5. Complying with workers’ right to holidays and bank holidays and in particular the 1st of May.
6. Registering workers with the Rwandese Social Security and paying workers’ basic health insurance premiums.
7. Providing workers with protective equipment.

Workers celebrate the 1st of May 2013 thanks to COTRAF

On the NDERA site, in the GASABO district in KIGALI CITY, SNCTPC workers celebrate the 1st of May 2013. Mr. NSHIMIYIMANA Aimé Janvier, head of the local trade union section, stated on behalf of the workers at the Chinese company, that it is the first time that they have been able to celebrate this day with their employer and that it is also the first time that the company management have dared to interact with the workers.

SNCTPC management thanked the COTRAF union because they have noticed that since the workers became members of COTRAF, production has increased and they have also been able to respect workers’ rights

Article written by François NTAKIYIMANA, General Secretary of COTRAF Industrie et Bâtiment