ABAKOZI BO MURUGO

When you take time to think on it, the entire franchise is troubling! I’m the least domesticated of us all; so, trust me, I fully understand the appeal in having live-in house help that is paid $20 to $50 /month; to cook, clean, babysit, etc. I do understand that I cannot judge Rwandan society using American lenses. At the same time, could it be that we are encouraging modern indentured servitude without realizing?

1. They live with us but don’t eat with us. Why not? If they have truly integrated the family? Most even sleep outside, very reminiscent of “slave quarters” …
2. Schedules aren’t clearly defined. Which means they can be called anytime the bosses are awake, anywhere from 6a-11p. A whooping 17hours/day.
3. Why do majority of them not have set days off? The most lenient of the bosses tell them, “If you need to visit family in the village, let me know, I will give you a day off.” But even that is pretty subpar. Imagine having to work a whole month straight, no weekends.

So, really, the live-in house help trend is not popular in the West NOT because it isn’t part of their culture. Rather, it is because the average citizen cannot afford it. Labor laws set to protect workers mandate a federal minimum wage of say $7.25/hour no matter the job which totals $1160/month.

Nuko Turumirwa!