By Hon. Agnes Kunihira Abwooli
The labour market in Uganda is characterized by a fast –growing working – age population. The 2009 Uganda National Household Survey estimated Uganda’s working age population at 11.0 million, up from 9.3 million in 2005. The labour force participation rate of those aged between 14 and 64 years was high, at 78.7 percent in 2009, up from 71.8 percent in 2005 Men and women were equally active, with the labour force participation rate at 77.9 percent for men and 79.4 percent for women.
The survey also revealed that the rural population of working age was only slightly more economically active than the urban population (79.5 and 75.1 percent, respectively). Activity rates among Ugandan youth have been growing: 60.3 percent of youth aged 15 – 24 were economically active in 2009, a significant increase from 44.3 percent in 2005.
Growing activity rates could prove to be a cause for concern, given that many within the age band should otherwise be pursuing their education.
The survey further estimated Uganda’s employment – to – population ratio at 75.4 percent in 2009, an increase from 70.3 percent in 2005. The ratio was higher in rural areas than in urban areas (77.1 and 68.0 percent, respectively). Men and women were engaged in employment to an equal extent. According to the household survey the unemployment rate in Uganda grew from 1.9 percent in 2005 to 4.2 percent in 2009.
With the high fertility rates and lack of a strong education system, the country is facing a large volume of low – skilled new labour market entrants every year. It is suggested that a successful programme of universal secondary education would significantly reduce the annual number of new labour force entrants. According to the UN population projections 2009, if all children aged between 14 and 19 years were in school, there would be a decrease in the new labour market entrants of about 100,000 people per year.
Current restrictions in labour market information have led to a situation in which the question of why the school – to – work transitions of young people today are a long and difficult process has yet to be satisfactorily answered. At the same time, the goal of improving the transitions of youth is a top policy priority in most countries in the world.
In response to this problem, Trade Unions are supposed to generate information on the current labour market situation, the history of economic activities and the perceptions and aspirations of the workers.
The basic role of trade Unions is to help to protect, defend and advocate for workers rights and other welfare through negotiations with their employers. In carrying out these noble functions, the leaders of these unions need to be knowledgeable and conversant of labour issues. It is therefore imperative that a lot of reading and research are required in order for them to realize their potential.
Unfortunately, there is a big vacuum of Trade Union reading materials in Uganda and most of those available give information on Trade Union History whereas there are many issues pertaining to workers in the world of work which workers need to know. Hence for them to intensify reading, research and interaction with various International Trade Unions.
All labour leaders therefore need information on many issues but the basic ones are:-
– Labour market information
– Labour economics
– Promoting Gender Equality
– Globalization
– Occupational Health and Safety
– Social dialogue
– Modern technology
– Trade Union capacity development
– International trade unionism.
Unless this is done, the members they represent will see no use in the Trade Unions■
