National Organization of Trade Unions (NOTU), Chairperson Usher Wilson Owere has reported to President Museveni that he returned the Minimum Wage Bill to Parliament but since then, nothing has been done about it.
Owere made the comments during the commemoration of International Labor Day at Kololo Independence Grounds on Sunday, that was celebrated under the theme, “Mitigating the Impact of COVID-19; Enhancing productive employment for improved livelihoods through the Parish Development Model”.
Owere revealed that the minimum wage issue has been pending for so long.
“There is an issue of minimum wage. I remember we sat with you (Museveni), we agreed on some things and the Ministry of Gender started moving, but when we saw them moving slowly, we went ahead of them, and our Member of Parliament presented a private member’s bill which was passed by the 10th Parliament. It was brought to you, you didn’t sign it, and you returned it to Parliament.
“For me, I am not coming back to you, I am asking Parliament since the Speaker is here; Rt. Hon. Speaker, where is the Bill which was returned to you? Where is that Bill? The President pronounced himself, you are also going to pronounce yourself on that issue”.
Ugandan workers and their leaders have been consistently crying out to the government advocating for minimum wage and fair treatment at their workplaces but all in vain.
NOTU Chairperson Usher Wilson Owere
However, the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development Gender Minister, Betty Amongi responded saying, “Employment Act of 2006 secures workers’ rights, including the right to be issued with the appointment letter and contract of service, freedom of association, workers’ compensation for injury, descent working conditions at the workplace, provision of personal protective equipment at workplace, payment of wages on time, provision of leave (maternity leave, weekly rest and rest on public holidays).
“Most of these issues have been raised on the floor of Parliament by Members of Parliament, in this regard, our Ministry has scaled up inspection and engagement with the employers with a view of engaging how we protect these rights. We are continuing with engagement, and will facilitate more respect for these rights”.
During his Labor day speech, President Museveni said that No government has ever given people money to get out of poverty like the NRM government.
“Getting out of poverty was everyone’s private business then. All the government did was provide peace. If they wanted coffee or cotton, they would come and coerce you to produce it. We have been giving money since the time of Entandikwa, Prosperity for all, NAADs, now we have Myooga, Parish Development Model, Operation Wealth Creation etc. Why? Because we want everyone to get involved in working for pocket and stomach for social-economic transformation,” he said.
“What we need is to conserve what we have, and multiply it. In Agriculture alone, with whatever land we are left with, we can create over 50million jobs. Now with the Parish Development Model, we can kickstart this. We need a workforce of very many workers.
“We have had backward practices, where when the person dies the children start dividing what is left of the property. In Europe, people like Henry Ford died long ago but the wealth he left is bigger now. Africans are like ants they eat even the little the deceased left behind.
“We have started the way, we have taught you the four sectors which we know can produce money; Commercial Agriculture with Ekibalo, ICT, Services and Industry. If we can take the message and act on it, we shall create wealth. Of Course, we must abandon our backward practices.”
He also vowed not to revoke the controversial Coffee agreement but he will study proposals brought forward by those against it.
“The coffee deal I have heard a lot. We won’t take it away we are saying let’s study what you are saying. Good enough you have written it. It is in blue and black,” Museveni noted.
The deal has been a subject of debate in the country with many leaders criticizing it as a bad deal that has sidelined Ugandan coffee stakeholders on top of being exempted from paying taxes among other incentives.
The deal was signed between the Ugandan government through the Ministry of Finance and an Italian investor Enrica Pinetti who signed on behalf of Uganda Vinci Coffee Company (UVCC), a company that was given exclusive rights to buy all Uganda’s coffee harvests.
By Kobusiinge Monica
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