President Yoweri Museveni is set to officiate at International Labour Day celebrations. The revelation was made by Esther Davinia Anyakun Esther, State Minister for Labour, Employment, and Industrial Relations.
Under the theme; ‘Improving Access to Labour Justice, a Prerequisite for Increased Productivity’, the day will be marked at Mukabura Grounds, St. Leo’s College, Fort Portal City.
The National Labour Force Survey 202l indicates that many workers are exposed to hazardous working conditions, including exposure to dust, fumes, and violence, with many lacking protective gears.
While 898, 000 workers had suffered accidents or injuries in the 12 months preceding the survey, data from the Insurance Regulatory Authority’s Annual Insurance Market Report 2022 reveals that only 30,555 lives were insured under 2,347 workers’ compensation policies in 2022.
“Workers in Uganda face challenges in accessing labour justice despite existing frameworks. Issues such as unfair dismissal, unpaid wages, and unsafe working conditions are widespread, particularly among vulnerable groups like women, youth, and informal sector workers. Many employers do not contribute to social protection, leaving workers financially insecure in old age,” she said.
She noted that the Ministry plays a crucial role in ensuring access to labour justice by formulating policies, enforcing legislation, overseeing dispute resolution mechanisms, providing capacity building and awareness programs, and collaborating with stakeholders to promote fair labour practices.
Amidst all this, Anyakun said the Ministry faces constraints such as a lack of a web-based system and national database for labour statistics, an integrated case management system for labour complaints and dispute settlement, as well as staffing shortages, insufficient tools, logistics, and court facilities.
“As we commemorate International Labour Day, it’s important to recognise and address the barriers that hinder workers from seeking redress for workplace disputes. The Ministry is committed to enhancing access to labour justice and seeks the support of Parliament in addressing the constraints,” she said.
