NIYITEGEKA v. SONARWA GENERAL INSURANCE COMPANY Ltd
The Supreme Court held that under the current Rwandan labour law, severance pay and damages for unlawful dismissal are distinct and cumulative entitlements, and the applicant was entitled to both without deduction. The High Court erred in deducting severance from damages and in awarding costs to the respondent...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- RS/INJUST/RSOC00005/2024/SC
- Parties
- Applicant: Niyitegeka Emmanuel; Respondent: SONARWA General Insurance Company Ltd
- Court
- Supreme Court
- Jurisdiction
- Rwanda
- Judgment Date
- 28 November 2025
- Case Number
- RS/INJUST/RSOC00005/2024/SC
- Procedural Posture
- Labour Dispute / Supreme Court Review of High Court Judgment for Alleged Injustice
- Outcome
- Applicant's claim for review is upheld. High Court judgment is reversed in relevant parts.
- Legal Topics
- Unlawful Termination, Severance Pay, Damages for Unfair Dismissal, Cumulative Compensation, Procedural Fairness in Dismissal
- Source Language
- rw
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Niyitegeka Emmanuel
Applicant
SONARWA General Insurance Company Ltd
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Labour Dispute / Supreme Court Review of High Court Judgment for Alleged Injustice
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether severance pay already received should be deducted from damages for unlawful dismissal
- 2 Whether the High Court erred in awarding costs and advocate fees to respondent without request
Ratio Decidendi
The Supreme Court held that under the current Rwandan labour law, severance pay and damages for unlawful dismissal are distinct and cumulative entitlements, and the applicant was entitled to both without deduction. The High Court erred in deducting severance from damages and in awarding costs to the respondent without a request.
Court Disposition
Applicant's claim for review is upheld. High Court judgment is reversed in relevant parts.
Orders
- SONARWA to pay Niyitegeka Emmanuel damages for unlawful dismissal of 6,035,328 Frw without deducting 4,023,492 Frw severance pay.
- SONARWA to pay Niyitegeka Emmanuel 1,000,000 Frw advocate fees and 500,000 Frw litigation costs.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
25 paragraphs
# NIYITEGEKA v. SONARWA GENERAL INSURANCE COMPANY Ltd
- Source: Amategeko - Section: Decisions (Judgements) - Date: 2025-11-28 - Case/document no.: RS/INJUST/RSOC00005/2024/SC - Collection: Supreme Court
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NIYITEGEKA v. SONARWA GENERAL INSURANCE COMPANY Ltd [Rwanda URUKIKO RW’IKIRENGA – RS/INJUST/RSOC00005/2024/SC (Cyanzayire, P.J., Mukamulisa na Kalihangabo, J.) 28 Ugushyingo 2025] Amategeko agenga imanza z’umurimo – Amasezerano y’umurimo – Uburenganzira bw’umukozi – Iyo umukoresha asezereye umukozi cyangwa asheshe amasezerano bari bafitanye, uwo mukozi aba afite uburenganzira bwo guhabwa amafaranga yemererwa n’amategeko. Amategeko agenga imanza z’umurimo – Amasezerano y’umurimo – Iseswa ry’amasezerano y’umurimo – Amafaranga umukozi yemererwa n’amategeko – Mu gihe iseswa ry’amasezerano y’akazi ryakozwe mu buryo bunyuranyije n’amategeko, hejuru y’uburenganzira umukozi aba afite bwo kubona imperekeza zo gusezererwa ku kazi, agira n’uburenganzira ku ndishyi z’uko yasezerewe mu buryo budakurikije amategeko. Amategeko agenga imanza z’umurimo – Amasezerano y’umurimo – Gusezererwa ku kazi – Itangwa ry’imperekeza cyangwa iry’indishyi – Imperekeza zo gusezererwa ku kazi zitangwa hagamijwe kuziba icyuho gitewe no gusezererwa bidaturutse ku makosa y’umukozi, mu gihe indishyi zitangwa kubera ingaruka yatewe no gusezererwa mu buryo budakurikije amategeko. Incamake y’ikibazo: Niyitegeka wari umukozi wa SONARWA General Insurance Company Ltd kuva mu mwaka wa 1999, akora ku myanya y’akazi itandukanye mu gihe kigera ku myaka irenga 10, aza gusezererwa ku wa 06/09/2019. Yaregeye umugenzuzi w’umurimo avuga ko yirukanwe mu buryo budakurikije amategeko, kuko SONARWA yamusezereye ishingiye ku kuba yaratsinzwe ikizamini. Ikibazo cye nticyakemutse bituma aregera mu Rukiko Rwisumbuye rwa Nyarugenge asaba kwishyurwa indishyi zo gusezererwa mu kazi mu buryo bunyuranyije n’amategeko, hashingiwe ku burambe bw'imyaka irenga cumi n'itanu yari amaze mu kazi. Urukiko Rwisumbuye rwategetse SONARWA kwishyura Urega amafaranga y’ikinyuranyo hagati y’indishyi zo gusezererwa ku kazi mu buryo bunyuranyije n’amategeko n’ayo yari yahawe ho imperekeza. Urega yajuririye iki cyemezo mu Rukiko Rukuru avuga ko umucamanza yitiranyije indishyi zitangwa kubera gusezererwa ku kazi mu buryo bunyuranyije n'amategeko, n'imperekeza zihabwa uwasezerewe ku kazi kubera iseswa ry’amasezerano y’umurimo ritewe n’impamvu z’ubukungu. Uregwa we avuga ko imperekeza Urega yahawe, zidashobora kubangikanywa n’indishyi zo gusezererwa ku kazi mu buryo bunyuranyije n’amategeko, kuko ahawe izo ndishyi zombi byaba ari ukwikungahaza nta mpamvu. Urukiko Rukuru rwemeje ko imikirize y’urubanza rwaciwe n’Urukiko Rwisumbuye idahindutse. Iki cyemezo Urega ntiyakishimiye, kuko yasabye ko rusubirwamo ku mpamvu z’akarengane arabyemererwa, hemezwa ko rwongera kuburanishwa n’uru Rukiko rw’Ikirenga. Urega avuga ko akarengane ke gashingiye ku kuba Urukiko Rukuru rwaremeje ko mu ndishyi zo gusezererwa ku kazi mu buryo bunyuranyije n’amategeko havanwaho imperekeza yari yarahawe, mu gihe n’izo mperekeza yari azemerewe. Avuga kandi ko Urukiko Rukuru rwirengagije ihame rivuga ko umucamanza aca urubanza ku cyaregewe, mu gihe rwo rwageneye Uregwa amafaranga y’ikurikirarubanza n’ay’igihembo cya Avoka kandi atarabisabye. Uregwa yasubije kuri izo mpamvu Urega yagaragaje, avuga ko Urega atari kugenerwa icyarimwe imperekeza n’indishyi zo gusezererwa ku kazi mu buryo bunyuranyije n’amategeko, ko iyo mpamvu y’indi atanga itaba impamvu y’akarengane, ahubwo ari ukutemeranya n’Urukiko ku cyemezo rwafashe. Muri uru rubanza rw’akarengane, Urega asaba uru Rukiko ko yasubizwa amafaranga y’imperekeza yakaswe ku ndishyi zo gusezererwa ku kazi mu buryo bunyuranyije n'amategeko. Avuga kandi kuva ku Mugenzuzi w’umurimo kugeza mu rukiko hatigeze hasuzumwa ingingo yo kutabangikanya indishyi n’imperekeza, n’Uregwa akaba atarigeze abitangira ikirego mu buryo bukurikije amategeko, akaba asanga
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iyo ngingo itaragombaga gusuzumwa hashingiye ku ihame ry’uko urukiko ruca urubanza ku cyo rwaregewe. Uregwa avuga ko Urega nta karengane yagiriwe kuko niba Urukiko rwaremeje ko habayeho gusesa amasezerano mu buryo bunyuranyije n’amategeko, yagombaga gutegekwa gusubiza indishyi yahawe kubera gusezererwa ku mpamvu z’amavugurura. Ibi bivuze ko bitari gushoboka ko Urega yakwishyurwa icyarimwe indishyi zijyanye no gusesa amasezerano ku mpamvu z’ivugurura, ngo yongere anishyurwe indishyi zo gusesa amasezerano mu buryo bunyuranyije n’amategeko. Incamake y’icyemezo: 1. Iyo umukoresha asezereye umukozi cyangwa asheshe amasezerano bari bafitanye, uwo mukozi aba afite uburenganzira bwo guhabwa amafaranga yemererwa n’amategeko, harimo imperekeza n’indishyi. 2. Mu gihe iseswa ry’amasezerano y’akazi ryakozwe mu buryo bunyuranyije n’amategeko, hejuru y’uburenganzira umukozi aba afite bwo kubona imperekeza zo gusezererwa ku kazi, agira n’uburenganzira ku ndishyi z’uko yasezerewe mu buryo budakurikije amategeko. 3. Imperekeza zo gusezererwa ku kazi zitangwa hagamijwe kuziba icyuho gitewe no gusezererwa bidaturutse ku makosa y’umukozi, mu gihe indishyi zitangwa kubera akababaro umukozi yatewe no gusezererwa mu buryo budakurikije amategeko. Ikirego cyo gusubirishamo urubanza ku mapmvu z’akarengane, gifite ishingiro. Amategeko yashingiweho: Itegeko N° 66/2018 ryo ku wa 30/08/2018 rigenga umurimo mu Rwanda, ingingo ya 21, 27, 30 n’iya 31. Itegeko No 22/2018 ryo ku wa 29/04/2018 ryerekeye imiburanishirize y’imanza z’imbonezamubano, iz’ubucuruzi, iz’umurimo n’iz’ubutegetsi, ingingo ya 10 n’iya 111. Itegeko N° 13/2009 ryo ku wa 27/05/2009 rigenga umurimo mu Rwanda, ingingo ya 33. Anadi mategeko yashingiweho: Code du Travail Francais version en vigueur depuis Janvier 2018, article L1235-15. Code du Travail de Luxemburg, article L.124-10, 124-12. Nta manza zifashishijwe. Urubanza I. IMITERERE Y’URUBANZA [1] Niyitegeka Emmanuel yabaye umukozi wa SONARWA General Insurance Company Ltd (SONARWA muri uru rubanza) kuva Mutarama 1999, akaba yaragiye akora ku myanya itandukanye kugeza asezererwa ku wa 6/9/2019. [2] Yaregeye Umugenzuzi w’umurimo avuga ko SONARWA yasheshe amasezerano y’akazi mu buryo bunyuranyije n’amategeko, kuko yamusezereye imubwira ko atsinzwe ikizamini, atarigeze agaragarizwa impapuro yagikoreyeho, ndetse n’umwanya w’akazi yakozeho icyo kizamini ukaba utandukanye n’uwo yakoragaho. Yabonye ikibazo kidakemutse aregera Urukiko Rwisumbuye rwa Nyarugenge, asaba kwishyurwa indishyi zo gusezererwa mu kazi mu buryo bunyuranyije n'amategeko zingana na 9.642.312Frw, hashingiwe ku burambe bw'imyaka irenga cumi n'itanu yari amaze mu kazi, agahabwa na 1.500.000Frw y'ikurikiranarubanza n'igihembo cya Avoka.
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[3] Mu rubanza RSOC00339/2021/TGI/NYGE rwaciwe ku wa 29/11/2022, Urukiko Rwisumbuye rwa Nyarugenge rwemeje ko Niyitegeka Emmanuel yasezerewe ku kazi mu buryo bunyuranyije n’amategeko, rutegeka SONARWA kumuha 2.011.836Frw y’ikinyuranyo hagati y’indishyi zo gusezererwa ku kazi mu buryo bunyuranyije n’amategeko zingana na 6.035.328Frw, na 4.023.492Frw ahwanye n’amezi atandatu yahawe ho imperekeza. Rwategetse kandi ko ahabwa 720.000Frw akubiyemo ay’ikurikiranarubanza, igihembo cya Avoka n’igarama. [4] Urukiko rwashingiye icyo cyemezo ku mpamvu zikurikira: a. Kuba uburyo SONARWA yakoresheje isezerera Niyitegeka Emmanuel butarubahirije ibiteganywa n’amategeko1, harimo ko abakozi bagabanywa mu kigo batondekwa hakurikijwe ubushobozi ku murimo, amashuri, uburambe muri icyo kigo, umubare w’abo atunze ku buryo bwemewe n’amategeko, bikitabwaho uko bikurikirana, kandi ibyo bikamenyeshwa Umugenzuzi w’umurimo mu nyandiko; b. Mbere yo gukoresha ibizamini SONARWA yagombaga kubanza gusezerera abakozi mu buryo bumaze gusobanurwa haruguru, abatabonye akazi mu myanya mishya bakabona kujya mu mapiganwa; c. Kuba Niyitegeka Emmanuel yarasezerewe ku kazi mu buryo budakurikije amategeko, agomba kubihererwa indishyi ziteganywa mu ngingo ya 30 y’Itegeko N° 66/2018 ryo ku wa 30/08/2018 rigenga umurimo mu Rwanda, ni ukuvuga umushahara we inshuro icyenda (kuko bemeranywa ko yari afite uburambe ku kazi burenga imyaka10), bihwanye na 670.582Frw x 9 = 6.035.2382 Frw. [5] Niyitegeka Emmanuel yajuriye mu Rukiko Rukuru, avuga ko umucamanza yitiranyije indishyi zitangwa kubera gusezererwa ku kazi mu buryo bunyuranyije n'amategeko, n'imperekeza zihabwa uwasezerewe ku kazi kubera iseswa ry’amasezerano y’umurimo ritewe n’impamvu z’ubukungu. Yasabye kugenerwa indishyi zo gusezererwa ku kazi mu buryo bunyuranyije n'amategeko zingana na 1.071.368Frw x 9 = 9.642.312Frw. [6] SONARWA yireguye ivuga ko imperekeza Niyitegeka Emmanuel yahawe, zidashobora kubangikanywa n’indishyi zo gusezererwa ku kazi mu buryo bunyuranyije n’amategeko, kuko ahawe izo ndishyi zombi byaba ari ukwikungahaza nta mpamvu. [7] Mu rubanza RSOCA00023/2023/HC/KIG rwaciwe ku wa 27/06/2024, Urukiko Rukuru rwemeje ko urubanza rwajuririwe rudahindutse, rutegeka Niyitegeka Emmanuel kwishyura SONARWA 800.000Frw y’igihembo cya Avoka n`ikurikiranarubanza. [8] Nyuma y’icibwa ry’urwo rubanza, Niyitegeka Emmanuel yandikiye Perezida w’Urukiko rw’Ubujurire asaba ko rusubirishwamo ku mpamvu z’akarengane. Perezida w’Urukiko rw’Ubujurire amaze gusuzuma ubwo busabe, yakoreye raporo Perezida w’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga amusaba ko urwo rubanza rwasubirwamo ku mpamvu z’akarengane, nawe amaze kuyisuzuma yemeza ko rugomba kongera kuburanishwa, rwandikwa kuri RS/INJUST/RSOC00005/2024/SC. [9] Urubanza rwaburanishijwe mu ruhame ku wa 14/10/2025, Niyitegeka Emmanuel ahagarariwe Me Intwazayamugabo Armand, naho SONARWA ihagarariwe na Me Bimenyimana Eric. [10] Niyitegeka Emmanuel yasobanuye ko akarengane ke gashingiye ku kuba mu guca urubanza RSOCA00023/2023/HC/KIG, Urukiko Rukuru rwaremeje ko mu ndishyi zo gusezererwa ku kazi mu buryo bunyuranyije n’amategeko havanwaho imperekeza yari yarahawe, mu gihe n’izo mperekeza yari azemerewe. Avuga kandi ko Urukiko Rukuru rwirengagije ihame rivuga ko umucamanza aca urubanza
1 Ingingo ya 21 n’iya 27 z’Itegeko N° 66/2018 ryo ku wa 30/08/2018 rigenga umurimo mu Rwanda. 2 Bigaragara ko Urukiko rwibeshye, aho kwandika 6.035.238Frw hakandikwa 6.035.328Frw.
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ku cyaregewe, kuko rwageneye SONARWA amafaranga y’ikurikirarubanza n’ay’igihembo cya Avoka kandi itarabisabye. SONARWA yo ivuga ko urega atari kugenerwa icyarimwe imperekeza n’indishyi zo gusezererwa ku kazi mu buryo bunyuranyije n’amategeko, ikanavuga ko impamvu ya kabiri urega atanga atari impamvu y’akarengane, ko ahubwo ari ukutemeranya n'Urukiko ku cyemezo rwafashe. Ababuranyi bamenyeshejwe ko urubanza ruzasomwa ku wa 28/11/2025. [11] Ibibazo by’ingenzi byasuzumwe muri uru rubanza, ni ukumenya niba imperekeza Niyitegeka Emmanuel yari yarahawe zaragombaga kuvanwa mu ndishyi zo gusesa amasezerano y’umurimo mu buryo bunyuranyije n’amategeko, no kumenya niba Urukiko Rukuru rwarageneye SONARWA amafaranga y’ikurikiranarubanza n’ay’ igihembo cya Avoka itarabisabye. II. IBIBAZO BIGIZE URUBANZA N’ISESENGURWA RYABYO 1. Kumenya niba imperekeza Niyitegeka Emmanuel yari yarahawe zaragombaga kuvanwa mu ndishyi zo gusesa amasezerano y’umurimo mu buryo bunyuranyije n’amategeko [12] Uhagarariye Niyitegeka Emmanuel avuga ko yari yemerewe imperekeza yagenewe hashingiwe ku burambe burenga imyaka 10 yari afite muri SONARWA, kuko ziteganywa n'ingingo ya 31 y’Itegeko N° 66/2018 ryo ku wa 30/08/2018 rigenga umurimo mu Rwanda; kandi kuba Urukiko rwaremeje ko yasezerewe mu buryo bunyuranyije n'amategeko kubera imihango yo kumusezerera yakozwe nabi, nta mpamvu yari gutuma rutamugenera indishyi ziteganywa n’ingingo ya 30 y’iryo Tegeko. [13] Avuga ko izo ndishyi zitagombye gukurwamo décompte final (yari ikubiyemo: imperekeza, integuza, amakonji, ndetse n'ibindi bajyaga bizigamira nk'abakozi kuko banagiraga ikimina), ariyo mpamvu asaba gusubizwa 4.023.492Frw yakaswe ku ndishyi zo gusezererwa ku kazi mu buryo bunyuranyije n'amategeko. Asobanura ko ikitwa imperekeza z’umukozi Urukiko rwategetse ko gikurwa mu ndishyi zo gusezererwa ku kazi, rwakubiyemo n’ubundi burenganzira. [14] Avuga kandi ko Urukiko ruca urubanza ku cyo rwaregewe, kandi kuva ku Mugenzuzi w’umurimo kugeza mu rukiko hakaba hatarigeze hasuzumwa ingingo yo kutabangikanya indishyi n’imperekeza, na SONARWA ikaba itarigeze ibitangira ikirego mu buryo bukurikije amategeko, akaba asanga iyo ngingo itaragombaga gusuzumwa. [15] Uhagarariye SONARWA avuga ko nta karengane Niyitegeka Emmanuel yagiriwe, kuko niba Urukiko rwaremeje ko habayeho gusesa amasezerano mu buryo bunyuranyije n’amategeko, yagombaga gutegekwa gusubiza indishyi yahawe kubera gusezererwa ku mpamvu z’amavugura, kuko bitashoboka ko yakwishyurwa icyarimwe indishyi zijyanye no gusesa amasezerano ku mpamvu z’ivugurura ziteganywa n’ingingo ya 31 y’Itegeko ry’umurimo, ngo yongere anishyurwe indishyi zo gusesa amasezerano mu buryo bunyuranyije n’amategeko ziteganywa n’ingingo ya 30 y’iryo Tegeko, kuko byaba ari ukwikungahaza nta mpamvu. [16] Avuga ko ibivugwa ko bikubiye muri “décompte final” yakorewe Niyitegeka Emmanuel bitari muri 4.023.492Frw Urukiko rwategetse ko avanwa mu ndishyi zo gusezererwa ku kazi, kuko ari imishahara yatahanaga y’amezi 6 (670.582Frw x 6) nk’uko bigaragara mu gika cya 10 cy’urubanza rwaciwe n’Urukiko Rwisumbuye. [17] Avuga kandi ko ibyo gusaba ko imperekeza zakurwa mu ndishyi SONARWA yabisabye nk’uko bigaragara mu gika cya 9 cy’urubanza rwaciwe n’Urukiko Rwisumbuye, bityo rukaba rwaraciye urubanza ku cyaregewe. Asoza avuga ko umushahara Niyitegeka yatahanaga wari 670.582Frw naho umushahara mbumbe ungana na 1.071.368Frw, kandi ko ibyakurwaga ku mushahara mbumbe byanganaga na 47.860Frw.
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[18] Mu nama ntegurarubanza, impande zombi zemeranyije ko 4.023.492Frw Urukiko rwategetse ko avanwa mu ndishyi zo gusezererwa ku kazi, ari imperekeza gusa zingana n’imishahara yatahanaga y’amezi 6. UKO URUKIKO RUBIBONA [19] Impaka ziri muri uru rubanza zishingiye ku kumenya niba, mu gihe umukozi asezerewe ku kazi kubera impamvu z’ubukungu agahabwa imperekeza ziteganywa n’itegeko, nyuma Urukiko rukemeza ko mu kumusezerera hatakurikijwe amategeko rukabimuhera indishyi, izo ndishyi zibangikana n’imperekeza akabihabwa byombi, cyangwa niba ahabwa indishyi gusa. [20] Ingingo ya 30 y’Itegeko N° 66/2018 ryo ku wa 30/08/2018 rigenga umurimo mu Rwanda nk’uko ryahinduwe, iteganya ibi bikurikira: Iseswa ry’amasezerano y’umurimo rinyuranyije n’amategeko rituma hatangwa indishyi.
Indishyi zihabwa umukozi wirukanywe binyuranyije n’amategeko ntizishobora kujya munsi y’umushahara w’amezi atatu (3), ariko kandi ntizishobora kurenza umushahara ahabwa w’amezi atandatu (6). Icyakora, iyo umukozi afite uburambe ku kazi burenze imyaka icumi (10) ku mukoresha umwe, indishyi ntizishobora kurenga umushahara ahabwa w’amezi icyenda (9). Indishyi zivugwa mu gika cya 3 cy’iyi ngingo zinahabwa abari intumwa z’abakozi, abagize komite z’ubuzima n’umutekano ku kazi n’abahagarariye sendika igihe birukanywe mu buryo bunyuranyije n’amategeko bazira gushyira mu bikorwa inshingano zabo zo guhagararira abakozi. Ibiteganywa mu gika cya 2 n’icya 3 by’iyi ngingo byubahirizwa no mu gihe indishyi zigomba gutangwa n’umukozi washeshe amasezerano mu buryo bunyuranyije n’amategeko. [21] Iyi ngingo ntacyo ivuga ku bijyanye no kubangikanya indishyi iteganya zo gusezererwa ku kazi mu buryo bunyuranyije n’amategeko, n’imperekeza umukozi aba afiteho uburenganzira igihe asezerewe ku kazi; mu gihe nyamara Itegeko N° 13/2009 ryo ku wa 27/05/2009 rigenga umurimo mu Rwanda ryasimbuwe ryagiraga icyo ribivugaho. [22] Mu ngingo ya 30 y’Itegeko N° 66/2018 ryo ku wa 30/08/2018 yavuzwe haruguru, Umushingamategeko yagaruye ibyari biteganyijwe mu ngingo ya 33 y’Itegeko N° 13/2009 ryo ku wa 27/05/2009 rigenga umurimo mu Rwanda ryavuyeho, abyandika mu yandi magambo, uretse ibyari mu nteruro ya nyuma y’igika cya mbere cy’iyi ngingo, cyari cyanditse mu buryo bukurikira: iseswa ryose ry’amasezerano y’akazi rinyuranyije n’amategeko rishobora gutuma hatangwa indishyi z'akababaro. Indishyi z’akababaro zihabwa umukozi wirukanwe binyuranije n’amategeko ntizishobora kujya munsi y’umushahara w’amezi atatu (3), ariko kandi ntizishobora kurenza amezi atandatu (6). Ibi ntibibuza itangwa ry’imperekeza umukozi yari asanzwe afiteho uburenganzira. [23] Iyi nteruro ya nyuma y’igika cya mbere cy’ingingo ya 33 y’Itegeko N° 13/2009 ryo ku wa 27/05/2009 rimaze kuvugwa, yahaga umukozi wasezerewe mu buryo budakurikije amategeko, uburenganzira bwo guhabwa icyarimwe indishyi zo gusezererwa ku kazi mu buryo bunyuranyije n’amategeko n’imperekeza. Ikigaragara ni uko iyi nteruro itagarutse mu ngingo ya 30 y’Itegeko N° 66/2018 ryo ku wa 30/08/2018 ryasimbuye Itegeko N° 13/2009 ryo ku wa 27/05/2009 ryagengaga umurimo mu Rwanda, ikibazo gihari akaba ari ukumenya niba icyari kigamijwe n’Umushingamategeko ari ukuvanaho ibyo yateganyaga. [24] Nk’uko bigaragara muri raporo y’inama ya Komisiyo y’Inteko Ishinga Amategeko yo ku wa 18/04/2018, mu gihe Abadepite baganiraga ku bikubiye mu ngingo ya 30 (yari iya 31 mu mushinga) y’Itegeko N° 66/2018 ryo ku wa 30/08/2018 ryavuzwe haruguru, ibiteganyijwe mu nteruro ya nyuma
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y’igika cya mbere cy’ingingo ya 33 y’Itegeko N° 13/2009 ryo ku wa 27/05/2009, byari byabaye igika cya 5 cy’ingingo yaganirwagaho, byanditse mu buryo bukurikira: ibiteganywa n’iyi ngingo ntibibuza itangwa ry’imperekeza umukozi yari asanzwe afiteho uburenganzira. [25] Komisiyo y’Inteko Ishinga Amategeko yongeye guterana ku wa 26/06/2018, abari mu nama bungurana ibitekerezo ku ngingo yari iya 31 mu mushinga w’Itegeko N° 66/2018 ryo ku wa 30/08/2018 (ariko yabaye iya 30 mu Itegeko ryatangajwe), bemeza ko igika cya 5 cyivanywemo kuko imperekeza cyateganyaga zisanzwe ziteganyijwe mu ngingo ya 32 y’umushinga w’Itegeko (yabaye iya 31 y’Itegeko ryatangajwe). Iyi ngingo ya 32 y’umushinga yabaye iya 31 y’Itegeko N° 66/2018 ryo ku wa 30/08/2018, iteganya, mu gika cyayo cya mbere, ibi bikurikira: “Bitabangamiye izindi ngingo ziteganyijwe muri iri tegeko, gusesa amasezerano y’umurimo kubera impamvu z’ubukungu, iz’ikoranabuhanga cyangwa iz’uburwayi ku mukozi umaze nibura amezi cumi n’abiri (12) akora nta guhagarika, bituma umukoresha amuha impererekeza zo gusezererwa ku kazi […]. [26] Ikibazo cyakwibazwa aha, ni ukumenya icyo Abashingamategeko bashakaga kuvuga, bemeza ko igika cya 5 cy’ingingo ya 31 y’umushinga w’Itegeko N° 66/2018 ryo ku wa 30/08/2018 ryavuzwe haruguru kivanywemo kubera ko imperekeza cyateganyaga zisanzwe ziteganyijwe mu ngingo ya 32 y’uwo mushinga. Icyumvikana muri iyi mvugo y’Abashingamategeko, ni uko ibyateganywaga mu gika cya 5 bitavuyeho, ko ahubwo biboneka mu ngingo ya 32 y’umushinga w’Itegeko rishya. [27] Igika cya 5 cy’ingingo ya 31 y’umushinga w’Itegeko (yabaye iya 30 y’Itegeko ryatangajwe) cyavugaga ku kubangikanya indishyi zihabwa umukozi wasezerewe ku kazi mu buryo bunyuranyije n’amategeko n’imperekeza (cumul des dommages et intérêts pour rupture abusive du contrat et des indemnités de licenciement). Ingingo ya 32 y’umushinga w’Itegeko (yabaye iya 31 y’itegeko ryatangajwe) yo ivuga ku mperekeza zitangwa kubera iseswa ry’amasezerano y’umurimo ritewe n’impamvu z’ubukungu, iz’ikoranabuhanga cyangwa iz'uburwayi, ariko igika cyayo cya mbere kigatangirwa n’amagambo akurikira: bitabangamiye izindi ngingo ziteganyijwe muri iri tegeko. [28] Aya magambo bitabangamiye izindi ngingo ziteganyijwe muri iri tegeko, yumvikanisha ko ibivugwa mu zindi ngingo, harimo iteganya indishyi zihabwa umukozi usezerewe ku kazi mu buryo budakurikije amategeko, bitagira icyo bihungabanywaho n’ibivugwa mu ngingo ya 32 y’umushinga w’Itegeko (yabaye iya 31 y’Itegeko ryatangajwe) birebana n’imperekeza zo gusezererwa ku kazi, ko ahubwo bibangikana. [29] Kuba indishyi zo gusezererwa ku kazi mu buryo bunyuranyije n’amategeko zibangikana n’imperekeza zo gusezererwa ku kazi, si umwihariko w’u Rwanda. Mu gihugu cy’Ubufaransa, ingingo ya L1235-15 y’urwunge rw’amategeko agenga umurimo (code du travail version en vigueur depuis Janvier 2018) iteganya ko imihango yo gusezerera umukozi kubera impamvu z’ubukungu, mu kigo kitashyizeho komite ishinzwe imibereho n’ubukungu kandi byari itegeko, ntihanakorwe inyandiko mvugo igaragaza ko iyo komite idahari, iba inyuranyije n’amategeko. Umukozi (wasezerewe) agira uburenganzira bwo guhabwa n’umukoresha amafaranga adashobora kujya munsi y’umushahara mbumbe w’ukwezi, bitabangamiye imperekeza zishingiye ku isezererwa no ku nteguza3. Ibimaze kuvugwa bihura n’ibyemejwe no mu rubanza rwaciwe n’Urukiko Rusesa Imanza4.
3 “Est irrégulière toute procédure de licenciement pour motif économique dans une entreprise où le comité social et économique n'a pas été mis en place alors qu'elle est assujettie à cette obligation et qu'aucun procès-verbal de carence n'a été établi. Le salarié a droit à une indemnité à la charge de l'employeur qui ne peut être inférieure à un mois de salaire brut, sans préjudice des indemnités de licenciement et de préavis”. 4 Vu les articles L. 1152-3 du code du travail et L. 1235-3 du même code dans sa rédaction antérieure à la loi N°2016-1088 du 8 Août 2016: “Il résulte de ces textes que le salarié victime d'un licenciement nul et qui ne réclame pas sa réintégration a droit, quelles que soient son ancienneté et la taille de l'entreprise, d'une part, aux indemnités de rupture, d'autre part, à une indemnité réparant l'intégralité du préjudice résultant du caractère illicite du licenciement et au moins égale à six mois de salaire”; Cour de Cassation,Civile, Chambrw Sociale, 16 mars 2022,21- 10.507, https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/juri/id/JURITEXT000045421848.
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[30] Mu Gihugu cya Luxembourg, ingingo ya L.124-7 (1)5 y’igitabo cy’urwunge rw’amategeko agenga umurimo iteganya ko umukozi ugengwa n’amasezerano y’igihe kitazwi usezerewe n’umukoresha, atari mu bihe biteganywa mu ngingo ya L.124-106, cyangwa usheshe amasezerano ku mpamvu zikomeye zituruka ku makosa akomeye yakozwe n’umukoresha, Urukiko rw’umurimo rukaba rwaremeje ko iryo seswa ry’amasezerano rifite ishingiro, afite uburenganzira ku mperekeza […]. Iyo mperekeza ntiyakwitiranywa n’indishyi zo gusezererwa mu buryo budakurikije amategeko zivugwa mu ngingo ya L.124-127. Kuba imperekeza ititiranwa n’indishyi bigaragara no mu ngingo ya L.166-98 y’icyo gitabo. [31] Mu Gihugu cya Bénin, iyo amasezerano y’umurimo asheshwe biturutse ku mukoresha, umukozi agira uburenganzira ku mpamba (dot) yo gusezererwa ku kazi. Iyo umukozi yasezerewe mu buryo bunyuranyije n’amategeko, hejuru y’uburenganzira ku mperekeza zo gusezererwa, agira n’uburenganzira ku ndishyi hakurikijwe ibyo yangirijwe9. [32] Icy’ingenzi cyumvikana mu bisobanuro bimaze gutangwa, ni uko iyo umukoresha asezereye umukozi cyangwa asheshe amasezerano bari bafitanye, uwo mukozi aba afite uburenganzira bwo guhabwa amafaranga yemererwa n’amategeko, harimo imperekeza zo gusezererwa ku kazi. Mu gihe iseswa ry’amasezerano y’akazi ryakozwe mu buryo bunyuranyije n’amategeko, hejuru y’uburenganzira umukozi aba afite bwo kubona imperekeza zo gusezererwa ku kazi, agira n’uburenganzira ku ndishyi z’uko yasezerewe mu buryo budakurikije amategeko. Imperekeza zo gusezererwa ku kazi ziba zigamije kuziba icyuho gitewe n’uko gusezererwa bidaturutse ku makosa y’umukozi, mu gihe indishyi zitangwa kubera akababaro umukozi yatewe no gusezererwa mu buryo budakurikije amategeko. [33] Ku bijyanye n’uru rubanza, impande zombi zemeranya ko Niyitegeka Emmanuel yasezerewe ku kazi ku mpamvu z’amavugura, akaba yari amaze imyaka irenga 10 akorera SONARWA. Inkiko zibanza zemeje ko uko kumusezerera ku kazi byakozwe mu buryo bunyuranyije amategeko, zitegeka ko abiherwa indishyi zingana na 6.035.328Frw, ariko habanje kuvanwamo imperekeza zo gusezererwa ku kazi yari yahawe, zingana na 4.023.492Frw. [34] Urukiko rurasanga, nk’uko byasobanuwe haruguru, imperekeza zo gusezererwa ku kazi n’indishyi zo gusezererwa ku kazi mu buryo bunyuranyije n’amategeko zitagamije ikintu kimwe, hakaba nta cyabuzaga ko Niyitegeka Emmanuel azihabwa zombi.
5 Art.L.124-7 (1): “Le salarié lié par un contrat de travail à durée indéterminée qui est licencié par l’employeur, sans que ce dernier y soit autorisé par l’article L.124-10, ou qui résilie le contrat pour motif grave procédant du fait ou de la faute de l’employeur conformément à l’article L.124-10 et dont la résiliation est jugée justifiée et fondée par la juridiction du travail a droit à l’indemnité de départ telle que déterminée au présent paragraphe.[…] L’indemnité de départ ne se confond pas avec la réparation visée à l’article L. 124-12”; https://legilux.public.lu/eli/etat/leg/code/travail/20250401. 6 Art. L. 124-10 (1): “Chacune des parties peut résilier le contrat de travail sans préavis ou avant l’expiration du terme, pour un ou plusieurs motifs graves procédant du fait ou de la faute de l’autre partie, avec dommages et intérêts à charge de la partie dont la faute a occasionné la résiliation immédiate. Le salarié licencié conformément à l’alinéa qui précède ne peut faire valoir le droit à l’indemnité de départ visée à l’article L. 124-7”. 7 Art. L. 124-12 (1): “Lorsqu’elle juge qu’il y a usage abusif du droit de résilier le contrat de travail à durée indéterminée, la juridiction du travail condamne l’employeur à verser au salarié des dommages et intérêts compte tenu du dommage subi par lui du fait de son licenciement”. […] 8 Art. L. 166-9: “Sans préjudice de la nullité des licenciements conformément au paragraphe (8) de l’article L. 166-2, les salariés faisant l’objet d’un licenciement collectif non conforme aux dispositions des articles L. 166-2 à L. 166-6 ont droit, en dehors des indemnités prévues par la loi, à des dommages-intérêts pour rupture abusive du contrat”. 9 “La rupture du contrat de travail à l’initiative de l’employeur donne droit au versement d’une dot de séparation au profit du travailleur. En effet, lorsque le licenciement est abusif, le travailleur a droit, en plus des indemnités légales, aux dommages et intérêts selon le préjudice subi”; Gautier Makoutode, Le barème d’indemnisation des licenciements au Bénin, Revue de Droit Comparé du Travail et de la Sécurité Sociale, Comptrasec - UMR 5114 - CNRS - Université de Bordeaux, 2023, p.8, https://comptrasec.fr/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/3.-Benin.pdf. “Selon le Professeur Medé, cette dot comprend « l’indemnité de préavis, l’indemnité de licenciement, l’indemnité compensatrice de congé “. Voir N. Medé, Règlementation du travail au Bénin, 2e éd, COPEF, septembre 2006, Cotonou, p. 199; cité par Gautier Makoutode, ibidem.
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[35] Urukiko rurasanga rero, hashingiwe ku bisobanuro byose byatanzwe, imperekeza Niyitegeka Emmanuel yari yarahawe zitaragombaga kuvanwa mu ndishyi zo gusesa amasezerano y’umurimo mu buryo bunyuranyije n’amategeko. Ibi bisobanuye ko indishyi zo gusezererwa ku kazi mu buryo bunyuranyije n’amategeko yari yagenewe zingana na 6.035.238Frw, agomba kuzihabwa hatavanywemo 4.023.492Frw y’imperekeza. 2. Kumenya niba Urukiko Rukuru rwarageneye SONARWA amafaranga y’ikurikiranarubanza n’ay’igihembo cya Avoka itarabisabye [36] Uhagarariye Niyitegeka Emmanuel avuga ko mu rubanza RSOCA00023/2023/HC/KIG, umucamanza yategetse ko yishyura SONARWA 800.000 Frw y’igihembo cya Avoka n’ikurikiranarubanza, akaba yarirengagije ihame ry'uko umucamanza aca urubanza ku cyaregewe, kandi ko urukiko rutibwiriza ahubwo rutanga ibyo rwasabwe, akaba asaba ko byakosorwa. [37] Uhagariye SONARWA avuga ko iyo atari impamvu y’akarengane ahubwo ari ukutemeranya n'Urukiko ku cyemezo rwafashe, ko yagombye gutandukanya impamvu y'ubujurire busanzwe n'impamvu y'akarengane. Avuga kandi ko atagaragaza ko mu mpamvu zituma asaba ko urubanza rusubirwamo ku mpamvu y'akarengane, harimo ku kuba Urukiko rwaratanze ibyo rutaregewe, kuko Urukiko rwemerewe no gushingira ku byavuzwe mu gihe cy'iburanisha, bipfa kuba byaragiweho impaka n'ababuranyi. UKO URUKIKO RUBIBONA [38] Ingingo ya 10 y’Itegeko No 22/2018 ryo ku wa 29/04/2018 ryerekeye imiburanishirize y’imanza z’imbonezamubano, iz’ubucuruzi, iz’umurimo n’iz’ubutegetsi nk’uko ryahinduwe, iteganya ko umucamanza aca urubanza ku cyasabwe cyose kandi kuri icyo cyonyine. Hakurikijwe ibiteganyijwe muri iyi ngingo, umacamanza ntashobora kugenera umuburanyi icyo atasabye. [39] Ku bijyanye n’uru rubanza, Urukiko rusanga haba mu myanzuro SONARWA yatanze mu Rukiko Rukuru, haba mu nyandikomvugo y’inama ntegurarubanza, haba mu nyandikomvugo y’iburanisha, haba ndetse no muri kopi y’urubanza, ntaho bigaragara ko yasabye guhabwa amafaranga y’ikurikiranarubanza n’ay’ igihembo cya Avoka. Ibi kandi uhagarariye SONARWA yabyemereye imbere y’uru Rukiko mu iburanisha ryo ku wa 14/10/2025. [40] Urukiko rurasanga rero, Urukiko Rukuru rutaragombaga kugenera SONARWA amafaranga y’ikurikiranarubanza n’ay’igihembo cya Avoka, kandi itari yabisabye. 3. Kumenya ishingiro ry’amafaranga y’ikurikiranarubanza n’ay’igihembo cya Avoka [41] Niyitegeka Emmanuel asaba ko SONARWA yategekwa kumuha 1.000.000Frw y'igihembo cya Avoka na 500.000Frw y'ikurikiranarubanza. [42] Uhagarariye SONARWA avuga ko indishyi Niyitegeka Emmanuel asaba nta shingiro zifite, kuko nta karengane kari mu rubanza yasubirishijemo, ahubwo ko SONARWA isaba igihembo cya Avoka kingana na 1.000.000Frw. UKO URUKIKO RUBIBONA [43] Mu gika cyayo cya mbere, ingingo ya 111 y’Itegeko No 22/2018 ryo ku wa 29/04/2018 ryerekeye imiburanishirize y’imanza z’imbonezamubano, iz’ubucuruzi, iz’umurimo n’iz’ubutegetsi nk’uko ryahinduwe, iteganya ko ikirego cy’amafaranga y’ikurikiranarubanza ari ikirego gishamikira ku kirego cy’iremezo kigamije kwishyuza ibyakoreshejwe mu rubanza.
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[44] Hashingiwe ku biteganywa n’iyi ngingo, Urukiko rurasanga Niyitegeka Emmanuel akwiye kugenerwa 1.000.000Frw y'igihembo cya Avoka na 500.000Frw y'ikurikiranarubanza, kuko byabaye ngombwa gukurikirana urubanza no gushaka umwunganira, kandi amafaranga asaba akaba ari mu rugero. [45] Urukiko rurasanga 1.000.000Frw y’igihembo cya Avoka SONARWA isaba itayahabwa, kuko itsinzwe urubanza. III. ICYEMEZO CY’URUKIKO [46] Rwemeje ko ikirego rwashyikirijwe na Niyitegeka Emmanuel cyo gusubirishamo ku mpamvu z'akarengane urubanza RSOCA00023/2023/HC/KIG rwaciwe n’Urukiko Rukuru ku wa 27/06/2024, gifite ishingiro. [47] Rwemeje ko imikirize y’urubanza RSOCA00023/2023/HC/KIG rwaciwe n’Urukiko Rukuru ku wa 27/06/2024, ihindutse kuri byose. [48] Rwemeje ko indishyi zo gusezererwa ku kazi mu buryo bunyuranyije n’amategeko Niyitegeka Emmanuel yagenewe zingana na 6.035.328Frw, zitagomba kuvanwamo 4.023.492Frw y’imperekeza yari yahawe. [49] Rwemeje ko Urukiko Rukuru rutagombaga kugenera SONARWA amafaranga y’ikurikiranarubanza n’ay’ igihembo cya Avoka. [50] Rutegetse SONARWA kwishyura Niyitegeka Emmanuel 1.000.000Frw y'igihembo cya Avoka na 500.000Frw y'ikurikiranarubanza.