Esther Anyakun, the state minister for labour, employment, and industrial relations, has highlighted the challenges faced by workers in Uganda in accessing labour justice despite the existing legal frameworks.
Among these challenges, Anyakun emphasized issues such as unfair dismissal, unpaid wages, and unsafe working conditions, particularly affecting vulnerable groups like women, youth, and informal sector workers.
Many employers, according to Anyakun, neglect contributions to social protection, leaving workers financially insecure in their old age. The National Labour Force Survey 2021 reveals widespread exposure to hazardous working conditions, including dust, fumes, and violence, with many lacking protective gear. Shockingly, only a fraction of workers suffering accidents or injuries are covered by insurance policies.
Speaking during a statement on Labour Day celebrations in Parliament, Anyakun stressed the importance of utilizing International Labour Day to recognize workers’ contributions to national development and to raise awareness about their rights and responsibilities.
The celebrations, held at Mukabura Grounds at St. Leo’s College, Fort Portal City, commemorated the global public holiday originating from 19th-century labour union movements in the United States, dedicated to those who died fighting for improved working conditions.
This year’s theme, ‘Improving access to labour justice: A Prerequisite for increased productivity,’ underscores the essential right of access to labour justice, vital for a fair labour market, protection against exploitation, and compliance with labour laws.
Anyakun highlighted Uganda’s legal and policy framework, including key legislations like the National Employment Act, 2006, and the Occupational Safety and Health Act, 2006, aimed at enhancing access to labour justice and dispute resolution.
However, she also acknowledged challenges faced by the Ministry of Gender, such as the absence of a web-based system for labour statistics and shortages in staffing and logistics. Anyakun urged the recognition and resolution of these barriers hindering workers from seeking redress for workplace disputes.
