Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) are calling for the implementation of a minimum wage in Uganda, arguing that it would address the exploitation of workers and improve their economic standing.
According to the CSOs, the current minimum wage of approximately $1.61 per day, which has not been revised since 1984, is insufficient to cover basic needs and exposes workers to economic exploitation and income inequality.
Women and casual workers in factories, plantations, and commercial investment schemes are particularly affected, as they are often poorly paid and work under precarious conditions without adequate personal protective equipment.
The CSOs also criticize the widespread use of labor casualization by investors, which often leaves workers without contracts, underpaid, and exposed to hazardous conditions.
In addition, many districts in Uganda lack labor officers, and the Industrial Court has only two judges to dispense labor justice in the country. The CSOs are calling on the government to invest in the country’s labor force, prioritize the protection of economic, social, and cultural rights, and review existing policies and laws to ensure that they provide adequate protections for workers.
Specifically, they are urging the government to implement the 2015 recommendations of the minimum wages advisory board and to review the Investment Code Act, 2019, the Employment Act, 2006, the Occupational Health and Safety Act, 2006, and the Workers’ Compensation Act 2000 to better protect workers’ rights to dignity and livelihood.
Would you like to get published on this Website? You can now email Uganda Times: an Opinion, any breaking news, Exposes, story ideas, human interest, articles, or any interesting videos: [email protected]. Or join the Ugandatimes WhatsApp Group or Telegram Channel for the latest updates
