By Our Reporter
I greet you all Workers, the backbone of Uganda’s success story. This year’s International Labour Day Celebrations held in Namutumba District under the theme Promoting positive work culture and Ethics: a prerequisite for increased investment, employment opportunities and household incomes.
Dear workers, I take the privilege to thank you the Workers for your continuous representations in different regions and sectors of the country. I have so far been invited to head Labour Day celebrations Jinja City, which greatly thank the Workers representatives in the district for their work well done in taking forward and preaching the Solidarity and carrying out activities that represent the good and importance of Labour Unions in Uganda Freedom of Association and the Right to Organise in contravention of chapter three of the ILO Convention, No. 87.
During these celebrations, I mainly emphasized on four areas that are not just about labour, but the good of our Country, Uganda as we reflected on the importance of promoting positive work culture and ethics in our District and Country at large. As we all know, having a good work culture and strong ethics is crucial for the success of any business, organization, or even our country as a whole. Promoting a positive work culture and ethics is more than just a moral obligation; it is a prerequisite for increased investment, employment opportunities, and household incomes, Industrial Harmony and increased productivity. Companies / Economies that prioritize these values are more attractive to potential investors, as they have a reputation for treating their employees well and conducting business in an ethical and responsible manner.
The Labour Unions in Uganda will pursue and negotiate for good jobs with good wages, for good, affordable and universal health care, for a secure retirement plan, fighting for the chance to give our children a better life, creating an economy where hard work pays off and everybody gets a shot at the Ugandan Dream. I therefore urge Government to implement the Negotiating Machinery Act, 2008 and encourage Collective Bargaining. For the economy to grow steady first, we should advocate for the following; First, Nutrition for Workers. It is essential to understand that what we eat has a direct impact on our health and well-being. As Workers, we need to maintain a healthy diet to stay productive and active.
Therefore, it is important for employers to provide healthy food options in the workplace, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, whole-grain bread, and lean protein sources and then exercise. Additionally, employers should encourage their workers especially breast feeding mothers to take breaks. This has been included in the Employment Bill, due for assent by the President. . Secondly, Climate Change is one of the most significant global challenges we face today. It is affecting our environment, our economies, and our health as Workers. As responsible citizens, we need to take action to address this issue. Employers can play a vital role in reducing their carbon footprint by implementing sustainable practices in the workplace, such as reducing waste, we shall encourage practices of mitigating carbon emissions, planting Trees among others.
I Piloted the Tree Planting Initiative by donating 1000 Trees to be planted in Jinja City, and if given an opportunity, I will do the same for other districts of Uganda. Thirdly, work ethics are critical for maintaining a healthy and productive work environment. As workers, we should always strive to be honest, respectful, and professional in our interactions with our colleagues and supervisors. Employers should also set clear expectations and provide regular feedback to ensure that their employees are meeting their standards. Communication is the key to resolving any issues that may arise in the workplace. Finally, Work Disputes can be stressful and disruptive to both employees and employers. It is important for both parties to approach disputes in a professional and constructive manner. Employers should establish a fair and impartial process for resolving disputes, such as mediation or arbitration.
Employees should also be willing to engage in open and honest communication to find a mutually beneficial solution, here is why I am pushing for the government to implement the Collective Bargaining, Negotiating, Consultative And Disputes Settlement Machinery which will commit to resolving conflict and differences through negotiations and consensus-building. I urge leaders to also emphasize for the people of Jinja City and all other Districts of Uganda to participate in all Government programs such as the Parish Development Model. This will help alleviate poverty among those most vulnerable. In conclusion, nutrition, climate change, work ethics, and work dispute settlement are all critical issues that affect us as employees and as citizens.
Let us all commit to promoting positive work culture and ethics in our workplaces, our communities, and our country as a whole. By doing so, we can attract more investors and create more job opportunities, ultimately leading to better incomes and a brighter future for all Ugandans. Thank you very much for acknowledging the efforts of the Workers by Celebrating this International Labour Day. God bless you. God Bless Uganda I remain Dr. Byakatonda Abdulhu, Member of Parliament, Workers
FOR GOD AND MY COUNTRY■
