Visiting Trinity Nyakabingo Mines Ltd, ICPC Musanze and Musanze Employment Service Center

On the first day of the field visit on January 18, 2024, the Minister Jeannette Bayisenge explored Trinity Metals, the site of Nyakabingo Mines situated in Rulindo District. She engaged with the managerial and technical teams, including administrative staff, at the mining site. Operational methods at this facility showcase a remarkable transition from traditional to semi-mechanized mining, employing a diverse range of modern machinery to enhance efficiency and precision in mining activities.

In 2023, the average monthly production reached 63 tons. The workforce currently comprises 1,716 employees, with 313 being women. All employees have formalized their employment through signed contracts and are duly registered with RSSB for social contributions. During our on-site discussions, she engaged with both managers and employees, delving into their day-to-day mining activities, identifying challenges, and collaboratively exploring potential solutions.

Following Trinity Nyakabingo Mines Ltd, the field visit extended to the Integrated Craft Production Center (ICPC) in Musanze. Here, The Minister explored the work of crafts persons, including carpenters, welders, artisans, and various support service providers such as hardware stores (quincaillerie), wood merchandise retailers, and restaurants, among others.

At ICPC Musanze, Minister Bayisenge observed how Agakiriro impacted the wellbeing and financial status of families working from there. She found a time also to discuss pressing challenges, and provided recommendations for potential solutions to enhance working conditions. In terms of employment, the center sustains a workforce of 797 people organized into cooperatives and companies, engaged in regular collaborative efforts.

The same day, The Minister visited Musanze Public Employment Service Center. This center plays a crucial role in empowering job seekers and enhancing their competitiveness. It achieves this by providing access to labour market information, employment opportunities, and delivering career-related training and guidance services.

During our time at the center, the Minister interacted with beneficiaries who had undergone training in the Work Ready Now and be Your Own Boss module, met individuals who received support for job applications and professional internship applications through the center's computer lab. The beneficiaries were also provided with individual coaching sessions for job interviews and assistance with CV writing.

Visiting ICPC Rubavu and Pfunda Tea Company

On 19^th January 2024, Hon Minister Bayisenge continued the field visit in Rubavu District where she visited the Integrated Craft Production Center (ICPC) Rubavu. She visited craftsperson’s operating within the ICPC Rubavu including carpenters, welders, tailors, among others. In the ICPC Rubavu, she observed operations of activities, working conditions, and discussed with the operators how this center impacted their well beings and financial status, later we discussed on existing challenges and possible solutions to address them. So far the center employs 314 beneficiaries including employers and employees, carpentry is the one with more employees (154 carpenters) followed with tailoring which employs 114 tailors who operate through cooperatives and companies.

The last visit was to Pfunda Tea Company. At the company, A team from the MIFOTRA and District delved into the details of tea processing operations, joining managers in overseeing the transformation process from preparing leaves to the various steps leading to the final packaged product. Throughout the visit, the minister strongly observed working conditions and aspects of Occupational Safety and Health.

Post-tour, discussions centered on various aspects, including production, the development of tea farmers, and the recovery process after the May 2023 disaster caused by the Sebeya River. This disaster resulted in damage to machines, affecting production and other facets of the operation. Pfunda Tea Company, a significant player in the industry, employs 122 permanent staff and engages 1,362 casual workers/tea pluckers involved in both the production and tea plantation processes.