Uganda’s Labor Rights: Upholding the Treaty to Ensure Workplace Protection

Uganda: Carry Out Treaty to Protect Everyone at Work

September 18, 2023 7:00AM EDT

Uganda recently ratified the global treaty to end violence and harassment at work, marking an important step in ensuring the protection of workers’ rights in the country. The treaty, known as Convention 190 on Violence and Harassment (C190), requires countries to adopt laws and regulations against harassment and violence at work, including prevention measures, complaints mechanisms, monitoring, enforcement, and support for survivors.

Uganda‘s Commitment to Ratification

Uganda played a significant role in the negotiations for the convention and committed to ratifying it when it was adopted in 2019. On August 7, Uganda officially notified the International Labor Organization of its ratification, making it the eighth country in Africa and the 32nd worldwide to do so.

The ratification of C190 is a result of years of hard work by civil society, trade unions, and Ugandan officials. Their efforts have been instrumental in raising awareness of the treaty, advocating for its ratification, and working towards aligning national laws and policies with its provisions.

Violence and Harassment in the Workplace

Studies have shown that violence at work in Uganda is highly prevalent, with the 2021 national survey on violence against women and girls revealing that 86% of working women reported facing violence at work in the year preceding the survey. Verbal abuse was found to be the most frequent form of violence.

The study also highlighted the disparity in workplace violence experiences between rural and urban areas, with women in rural areas being twice as likely as women in urban areas to have experienced violence. Additionally, recent migrant women were found to be more likely to have experienced violence.

Another study conducted by the pan-African feminist organization Akina Mama wa Afrika in 2020 found that sexual harassment is rampant in sectors such as floriculture, banking, and urban markets, where women workers are predominant.

Amended Employment Bill and the Role of the President

To effectively address the issue of violence and harassment at work, Uganda needs to implement the newly ratified treaty by enacting comprehensive laws and regulations. The amended Employment (Amendment) Bill 2023, currently awaiting presidential approval, represents a step in the right direction.

If approved, the bill would require all employers, regardless of the number of employees, to implement measures to prevent sexual harassment. It also explicitly recognizes domestic workers as workers under the labor law and provides protections for certain casual workers.

However, it is important to note that the bill does not fully align with the treaty‘s definition of “violence and harassment” in the workplace. The treaty defines such violence and harassment as a range of behaviors and practices that result in physical, psychological, sexual, or economic harm, including gender-based violence and harassment.

Once the bill is approved, the authorities should review and update existing regulations, such as the Employment (Sexual Harassment) Regulations of 2012, to ensure consistency with the treaty‘s requirements. Regional level consultations should also be conducted to review all regulations and ensure their alignment with the treaty.

Protecting Informal Sector Workers

Efforts to address violence and harassment at work should extend to informal sector workers, who often face significant vulnerabilities. The labor minister should collaborate with worker and women’s rights organizations, as well as the Technical Working Group, to identify sectors, occupations, and groups most vulnerable to violence and develop effective protection measures and complaints mechanisms.

Ugandan authorities can also consider sector-specific legal reforms, such as regulations for domestic workers and market vendors, following the new 2023 Markets Act. Additionally, measures should be developed to mitigate the effects of domestic violence in the workplace, including flexible working arrangements and leave for domestic violence survivors.

A Call for Continued Efforts

The ratification of C190 is a significant achievement for Uganda, but it should be seen as just the beginning. The authorities, in collaboration with worker rights and women’s rights groups, should continue working towards eradicating violence and harassment at work once and for all.

The implementation of the treaty requires a comprehensive and coordinated approach, involving the review and amendment of laws and regulations, the establishment of effective complaints mechanisms, and the provision of support for survivors. By prioritizing these efforts, Uganda can ensure that everyone in the world of work is free from violence and harassment.

It is important for President Yoweri Museveni to promptly sign the amended employment bill into law and for Ugandan authorities to prioritize the necessary reforms to align all laws, policies, and regulations with the global treaty. Upholding the rights and dignity of workers should be a fundamental commitment of any society, and Uganda has the opportunity to set a positive example in this regard.

By enacting comprehensive legislation and ensuring its effective implementation, Uganda can contribute to a safer and more equitable working environment for all its citizens.

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