Evolution of Labour Law and Industrial Relations in Rwanda since 1967

Abstract

The evolution of working relations in Rwanda is quite recent and might not seem important to know, but knowledge of the past will help  shape the future of labour law and labour relations. Labour relations in Rwanda are a result of a variety of factors, such as colonial rule,  labour markets, technological development, international relations and Social and demographic trends. The Belgian colonial  administration has changed the working relations between a worker and his master by introducing laws shaped to control the  indigenous labour force. The objective of these laws was not to protect local employees, but rather Belgian workers and other expatriates  working for the colonial administration in order to avoid all forms of industrial conflict so as to ensure industrial peace. Labour relations in Rwanda have continued to be regulated by the Labour Code of Belgian Congo until 1967, when Rwanda enacted its  own Labour Code to provide for better working and living standards to workers. This article explores the evolution of labour relations in  the successive reforms of the labour legislation in Rwanda from the Labour Code of 28th February 1967 to Law n° 66/2018 of 30/08/2018  regulating labour in Rwanda. It will highlight the salient workers’ rights as evolved throughout different reforms of the Rwandan labour  legislation. It demonstrates that the development of working relations has not always been linear. While individual labour relations have  improved steadily, collective labour relations have resisted to change, making employees’ organisations weak and employment disputes  settlement less effective. This article seeks to help Rwandan lawmakers learn from the past in order to shape the future and create a  stronger labour legislation which creates effective balance in rights and obligations between the employer and the employee in all  industries.