Call for workers’ rights awareness

THE president of the Congress of Labor and Brotherhood (Contraf), Dominic Bicamumpaka, has called on the government and developing partners to come up with mechanisms of sensitizing employees on their rights.

Friday, August 31, 2012

THE president of the Congress of Labor and Brotherhood (Contraf), Dominic Bicamumpaka, has called on the government and developing partners to come up with mechanisms of sensitizing employees on their rights.He said employers are exploiting workers because of ignorance of the latter’s rights and freedom.Bicamumpaka made the remarks during a one-day training for employees and employers from various organisations, the Private Sector Federation (PSF), Trade Unions and the Ministry of Labour, among others."There should be a clear and stipulated mechanism that will enable workers to learn about their rights, especially regarding the labour law; know when and where to report if offended,” said Bicamumpaka.Employees who spoke to The New Times during the training said that among other challenges, they were exploited in terms of working for many hours without considering allowances while others noted that even when they feel like reporting certain cases, they are afraid.Ben Dia Said, a Senior Worker`s Education Specialist, and board member of the International Labor Organization (ILO) said training programmes should be designed to strengthen and build on government policies.