The Ministry of Public Service and Labour (MIFOTRA) has addressed claims that government workers and leaders in Rwanda received salary increases, stating that these reports are not true. The ministry emphasised that there has been no change in the amount of money public servants take home.
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Law Amendments and Misinterpretations
This clarification followed the publication of a law in the Official Gazette on April 23, 2026, amending Law No. 017/2020 on public servants. MIFOTRA explained that the new law did not alter how government salaries are determined.
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Some people believed the changes meant equal salaries across institutions or that employees with the same education level would earn the same. Others claimed all institutions would adopt one salary system. However, the law still allows institutions to request special employment systems if justified by their structure and needs.
Allowances Adjusted, Not Salaries
MIFOTRA released a statement on May 26, 2026, clarifying that salaries remain based on job categories approved by the Cabinet, depending on the value, level, and responsibilities of the job. Institutions with special systems can still determine salaries through their management boards. Previously, leadership responsibilities came with a 5% salary increase.
Under a new Prime Minister’s Order issued on May 22, 2026, leadership, housing, and travel allowances are now calculated differently. For example, a worker earning RWF 300,000 with leadership duties can receive an additional allowance of around RWF 315,046 monthly, though this is not considered part of the salary.
Pension Reforms and Take‑Home Pay
The ministry explained that many misunderstood these changes as salary increases. In reality, the adjustments were introduced to offset higher pension contributions, which rose from 6% to 12% of an employee’s salary. Without changes, workers would have taken home less money.
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MIFOTRA clarified: “The changes in this order were made to match pension reforms so that public servants’ take‑home pay remains unchanged. Therefore, this law does not increase or reduce salaries.” The order, effective January 1, 2025, also revised housing and travel allowances.
Housing allowances are now calculated at 0.2 of the base salary, while travel allowances are set at 0.156274 of the base salary. The Minister responsible for public servants retains the authority to adjust these allowances if necessary.
