By Clement Wangira.
Workers Member of Parliament Hon. Dr.Abdulhu Byakatonda is tasking government to integrate trade unions to benefit from the government schemes that aid economic development.
He said it was established during the monitoring of Emyooga Fund that workers organizations have not been integrated in government socio economic programs. This is the reason as to why majority of workers both in formal and informal sectors have not benefited.
Dr. Byakatonda was on 3rd October flagging off Uganda Markets and Allied Workers Union team for organizing and recruitment exercise in Arua, Gulu and Lira.
“We are now imploring government to fill the gap by integrating trade unions to benefit from all government programs just like any other interest groups, ie the youth and persons with disabilities PWDs’’
He advised Trade Unionists to form savings and credit cooperative societies (SACCOs) to benefit from government programs in order to overcome future uncertainties amidst the deadly COVID 19 lockdown.
The recent COVID 19 lock downs has left majority of workers both in formal and informal sector devastated and heavily burdened by the challenges brought about by the deadly pandemic.
“I encourage Uganda workers who are being affected by the current economic crisis due to Covid19 to open their own SACCOs that can re-open factories with potential for revival and creation of sustainable jobs, He said.
Dr. Abdulhu Byakatonda urged trade unions to spearhead the formation of SACCOs to enable their members benefit from government programs including the Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Programs (UWEP), an initiative aimed at improving access to financial services for women.
Other intiatives include equipping them with skills for enterprise growth, value addition and marketing of their products and services,Emyooga,.
The Presidential Initiative on Skilling the girl child which is aimed at equipping the girls with basic skills in; tailoring, weaving, shoemaking, knitting, hairdressing and hence reducing the unemployment rates of youthful girls. Among others
He said SACCOs are potential game changers in Uganda’s aspiration to transform itself from a peasant to a modern middle income country by 20140 in line with the sustainable development goals under the theme of a leaving no one behind.
They play an important role in social economic development through creation of jobs, enhancement of production and productivity and promotion of value addiction and social stability
SACCOS provide a vehicle through which the predominantly rural workforce and the dynamic urban sector can be integrated into Uganda’s transformation Agenda.
As a condition to secure funding from the government, working groups form Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisations (SACCOs) through which they receive grants under various government programs
Uganda Markets and Allied Employees Union Deputy Generall Secetary Ms Jesca Mwijuka commended Dr.Abdulhu Byakatonda for supporting the Union on its organizing and recruitment initiatives.
She said:” We target more people in the informal sector like vendors joining the union in order to benefit from government programs”
Uganda Markets and Allied Employees Union Program Manager Batte Charles Senyidde said markets are absolutely essential for food security and remained open throughout the covid19 clock down.
” We shall sensitize market vendors and the public on the impacts of COVID Safe protocols,” he said ■
