The Rwanda Extractive Industry Workers Union (REWU) commends employers who continue to respect workers’ rights in these difficult times that require serious health precaution measures in face of COVID 19 pandemic.
This follows good initiatives among some mining companies which are supporting the mass testing exercise by availing time and other arrangements for workers and staff in general to attend the COVID 19 testing initiative started by the Government of Rwanda as part of appropriate action to prevent the spreading of the pandemic.
In collaboration with Muhanga District, the Artisanal Mining Company of Rutobwe (COMAR) and the IMC (Inter-Africa Mineral Company) and their staff led by their representatives, On Wednesday, 21 July 2021, participated in a COVID 19 testing exercise to assess the health status among the employees and employers at their respecting mining sites
This is one way of ensuring that employees and employers are safe and that helps them take better action against this deadly virus.
The exercise took place in Muhanga District, Kabacuzi sector, Butare cell, Gitima site.
About one hundred and seven (107) people were tested.
However this important activity will continue on more sites to ensure that miners are well protected from contracting the virus or spreading it at the workplace.
This initiative was highly appreciated by the REWU because the Workers had to get their rights including health and safety rights at the workplace.
REWU thanked the employers adding that this ensures that the work is done better for the benefit of both parties.
REWU urges other employers to take a good example from COMAR and IMC and also availing needed support to test their employees as part of the preventive measures.
About Mass testing
A mass testing exercise has begun in upcountry districts under lockdown in which over 198,800 people will be tested for Covid-19.
Kigali City and eight districts are currently under a ten-day lockdown, which was imposed last week to contain a record surge in new cases of Covid-19.
Mass testing in the districts followed a similar exercise in Kigali on Saturday and Sunday, where 3,616 new positive cases were recorded out of over 120,000 people who were tested.
Starting on Monday, July 19, residents aged above 18 get a Covid-19 rapid test in each cell of the districts under lockdown, namely: Musanze, Burera, Gicumbi, Rubavu, Rutsiro, Kamonyi, Rwamagana and Nyagatare.