The Social Security Fund continues to organize meetings to sensitize employers on the importance of the Fund. This seems to be especially necessary for the private sector.

Of the more than 3000 employers operating in Nyarugenge district, only two thirds have their staff insured at the Social Security Fund (RSSF). And among these 2000 organizations, less than half consists of private companies; moreover, many among the latter do not pay premiums consistently.

It is for this reason that RSSF is organizing meetings with employers and employees all over the country, in order to sensitize them on the importance of social security as well as employers’ obligations.

“At the end of the day, they will realize it is in their own interest,” said Jean Claude Ndanganira, the RSSF coordinator in Kigali city, adding that the biggest problem lies with private enterprises rather than public institutions.

According to Olive Uwantege, an employee in the National Youth Council, private companies are more reluctant to pay, simply because they don’t rely much on the permanence of their staff.

“Before I started to work in public institutions, I was in a private company but our boss didn’t want to hear about ‘Caisse Sociale.’ Only mentioning it could get you sacked,” Uwantege explained.

According to Moses Kazura, the head of education and customer relations in RSSF, it has also to do with the mentality of some private employers.

“It’s all about someone’s moral thinking; if there is a possibility to insure your staff for their future benefit, why don’t you do it? Some employers find it a waste of money, so they don’t give people a contract or only short-term ones,” Kazura pointed out.

He further remarked that one way of mobilizing these people is to sensitize them and show them the importance of RSSF insurance, and the credibility they gain once their employees are insured.

“This is how we will develop our organizations and the nation, by working together, caring about others and supporting each other,” Kazura said. “You are helping yourself and your employee if you register him at Caisse Sociale.”

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