Employment
The 2018 Labour Law with a flexible dismissal regime
Law 66/2018 governs labour relations, permitting termination on notice with reasons and limiting reinstatement as a remedy in favour of compensation. The statutory week is 45 hours and the law is notably employer-flexible by regional standards.
Key rules
- Jurisdiction — Labour inspectors conciliate; primary and intermediate courts hear employment disputes.
- Deadline — Notice: 15 days to one month depending on service
- Deadline — Labour inspector complaint: filed before referral to court
- Deadline — Maternity leave: twelve weeks with a maternity benefit scheme
Governing law
- Law n° 66/2018 regulating labour in Rwanda
- Ministerial orders on hours, leave and occupational safety
- Law establishing the Rwanda Social Security Board
In practice
The 2018 law reflects Rwanda's investment-attraction strategy: termination is comparatively straightforward, damages are capped by reference to salary, and reinstatement is rare. That flexibility is a deliberate policy choice and distinguishes Rwanda sharply from Kenya and Tanzania, where procedural fairness requirements are far more demanding.