Rwanda: Employers Who Fail to Pay Workers Must Be Held Accountable - Kagame

What the report says

Rwandan President Paul Kagame has urged public institutions to take action against employers who do not pay workers on time, saying unpaid wages should be met with accountability. He made the remarks during a press conference in Kigali on Monday, August 24, according to The New Times, which said the issue has been reported especially in the private sector.

Kagame said the government should address repeated cases where employees are hired but not paid, and he indicated that ministers responsible for labour matters should ensure the problem is resolved. The article notes that Rwanda’s labour law requires employers to provide contracts and to pay wages promptly, with written contracts mandatory for jobs lasting more than six months.

The story comes amid broader enforcement of labour rules in Rwanda. The Ministry of Public Service and Labour said inspections in the first half of 2026 led to sanctions against 71 private establishments across multiple sectors, including manufacturing, trade, accommodation and food services, education, and health. Common violations involved contract rules, salary payment procedures, social security registration, pension contributions, and occupational safety requirements.

The ministry also said labour inspectors visited 2,290 workplaces during the period and helped resolve 814 disputes through mediation and other mechanisms. The figures suggest continued pressure on employers to comply with labour standards and on authorities to improve protections for workers.