By Hon Agnes Kunihira.
Introduction
According to ILO arrangement convection N0.144 which was passed in 1976 was aimed at facilitating consultations on a number of issues affecting workers. In the case of Uganda which reified the convention in 1994, The three parties in the game are Government employers and workers.
However, before this convention was established many countries in Europe such as Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Belgium just to mention but a few put in place advisory committees on the following issues:-
Economic structural policy
Working environment
International Social and Economic affairs.
Occupational Safety and Health (OSH)
Labour market
Industrial relations.
Pension schemes among others.
Such consultations have been existing in other countries like Egypt, Stonia, Malawi, USA, Uruguay, Lesotho, Mexico, Newzealand and Turkey.
The issue of consultations differ from country to country depending on each country’s priorities. For instance in Netherlands the main issues for consultation are:-
Balance economic growth and sustainable development.
Unemployment and employment rate.
National Income distribution (share of the national cake)
How often must consultations take place?
Consultations should take place atleast twice a year but the actual interval should be agreed upon between the government and representatives of employer’s and worker’s organizations. They should occur often enough to ensure proper consideration of the matters to be discussed. Not at all the matters set out in the convention need to be re-examined ungratified conventions or proposals for the denunciations of ratified conventions will be less frequent. However, each of the three parties can request for te convening of the consultation meetings.
Advantages of the consultations
The representatives of each party get more informed and it helps them to take intelligent decisions.
It helps to promote a culture of tripartism and social dialogue and can lead to greater trust on wider economic and social issues.
Governments are more aware of the views.
Needs and interests of employers and workers organization and thus are more likely to reflect them in their plan and policy.
To promote good governance.
Promote improved implementations of other conventions and recommendations.
Helping in addressing issues of implementation of conventions and principles and can minimize the need to raise these issues before ILO supervisory bodies.
Demonstrate the Government’s commitment to the basic values of the ILO.
Examples of consultations and co-operations in uganda.
Training programmes on OSH
National workplace policy on HIV/AIDS.
Labour Advisory Board.
NSSF activities through NSSF Board.
The Uganda Industrial Court and Many others■
