By Our Correspondent in Entebbe.
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) held a national validation workshop for key stakeholders on October 13 -15, 2021 that discussed a media toolkit on “Reporting on Forced Labour and Fair Recruitment” at K Hotels, Entebbe.
Participants included United Nations Human Rights Country office, International Migration Organisation (IMO), Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (MGLSD), Ministry of Internal Affairs, National Organization of Trade Unions (NOTU), Central Organization of Free Trade Unions (COFTU), Federation of Uganda Employers (FUE) and Externalization of Labour agencies.
The other participants included the Uganda Media Centre, Uganda Journalists Union (UJU), the New Vision group, the Monitor publications and media traiuner Mr John Baptist Imokola. The main trainer and Consultant was Mr Denis Juuko.
During the discussions it was noted that journalists in Uganda have not given migrant workers adequate attention and most workers who have ventured in employment opportunities in Middle East have been exploited and their rights violated.
The Ugandan constitution under article 40 provides for the right of persons to work under satisfactory, safe and healthy conditions, and to ensure equal payment for equal work without discrimination. But due to little interest by some Ugandan journalists in covering labour issues and in particular migrant workers, little has been done to defend and promote interests of workers home and abroad.
International Labour Organisation (ILO) Uganda country Coordinator Ms Jesca Angida said Uganda hosts approximately 1.4 million refugees mainly from neighboring countries especially Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Sudan, Eritrea and Somalia.
She said: “ As ILO we are concerned on the plight of refugees who turn into migrant workers as they are prone to exploitation and violation of their labour rights”.
But Ugandan migrant workers especially women have been exposed to exploitation and human trafficking in various parts of the world.
International Organisation for Migration (IOM) Uganda Program Manager Ms Odette Sarr Bolly called on journalists to interest themselves in migrant workers’ issues and to establish a network with stakeholders for efficient news coverage.
She said: “ We remain committed to providing relevant information for the journalists to use in ensuring they uphold the ILO principles that promote decent work for equal pay and to promote labour rights of migrant workers.
The Trafficking in Persons Report 2021 by the United States, State Department reveals an increased number of Ugandans being trafficked for commercial sex work and labour exploitation in Poland, Hong Kong, Netherlands, China and Norway. The other countries where Ugandans are exploited include Jordon, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Deputy National Coordinator Prevention of Trafficking in Persons under Internal Affairs Minister Ms Agnes Igoye said the issues of human trafficking requires concerted efforts of all stakeholders.
“ As authorities we can never claim to be updated with relevant information on human trafficking unless partner organizations feed us in to curb the acts,” She said.
The Director for Labour in the Ministry for Labour , Gender and Social Development Hon. Martin Wandera closed the workshop on October 15, 2021. He called on the media to be more ethical and responsible in exposing violations of labour rights especial migrant workers.“ The rights of migrant workers can only be defended if the media plays its rightful roles,” he said.
Hon Wandera reiterated his Ministry’s commitment in ensuring workers, both in Uganda and abroad work under a condusive environment in conformity with established international labour standards ■
