Parliament urged to enact Minimum Wage Bill
The proposed bill aims to establish a standard minimum wage for all workers in Uganda, promoting decent employment and productivity.
Bunyoro: Labour officers and workers’ councilors in the Bunyoro region have urged the Parliament of Uganda to enact the Minimum Wage Bill and also expressing their disappointment with the Workers’ Member of Parliament, who they feel has not adequately represented their interests since being elected.
This call was made during a breakfast meeting with the Parliamentary Forum on Labour, Decent Employment, and Productivity organized by Enable held at Hoima’s Kabalega Resort Hotel.
Rose Athieno Kato from Enable disclosed that there is need for decent work for decent life and the project is operating in East Africa in the countries of Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic republic of Congo.
The stakeholders emphasized the need for a minimum wage law to protect workers’ rights and ensure fair compensation for their labour. The proposed bill aims to establish a standard minimum wage for all workers in Uganda, promoting decent employment and productivity.
Anthony Ayesiga, Labour Officer in Hoima District, has revealed that local residents are often relegated to low-paying jobs under the guise of local content.
Ayesiga cited bureaucracy and restricted access to operation sites, particularly with East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) contractors, as significant hurdles.
Denis Tugume, the Male Workers Councilor in Masindi District, has raised concerns about the numerous challenges faced by employees in their workplaces. He cited the risk of disease contraction as a significant issue, in addition to other problems.
Tugume emphasized that salary disparities are a major challenge, which is negatively impacting service delivery.
Jacob Karubanga, Member of Parliament for Kibanda South County in Kiryandongo District, has weighed in on the issue of local content in employment. Responding to concerns raised by labour officers, Karubanga acknowledged that the target of 70% local content remains underachieve.
He identified corruption, selfishness, and a lack of qualifications among local individuals as major obstacles. Karubanga urged parents to prioritize their children’s education, emphasizing the importance of academic focus. He encouraged children to concentrate on their studies to acquire the necessary skills for technical positions.
He however assured that the issues discussed during the breakfast meeting with the Parliamentary Forum on Labour, Decent Employment, and Productivity will be taken to Parliament.
The politician stressed three key concerns that emerged from the meeting which are the need for a Minimum Wage Bill to establish a standard minimum wage for all workers in Uganda.
He adds that another was the importance of Workers’ Members of Parliament maintaining a connection with their constituents after elections and addressing salary disparities, which are affecting service delivery.
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