300,000 institutions face closure over safety non-compliance

Feb 05, 2015

Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development will crack the whip on the institutions that would not have complied with safety and health regulations by February 28, line minister Karooro Okurut has said

By Alfred Wandera

Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development will crack the whip on institutions that would not have complied with safety and health regulations by February 28, line minister Karooro Okurut has said.

The ministry has already listed over 300, 000 public and private institutions whose workplaces do not adhere to safety and health measures.

Some of companies listed include Stanbic Bank and all its branches across the country, Gaz Fuel Service Station, Umeme Sub-stations, Kobil and all its filling stations, Uganda Clays, Capital FM, Super FM, Ministry of Agriculture and all its institutions, Ministry of Education and all its institutions (primary and secondary schools, colleges and universities) and Ministry of Health and all its health centres.

Addressing the press Wednesday at Media Centre, Karooro said government has decided to take the drastic action because lives of workers and students in the errant institutions are in danger.

"After February 28, ministry officials and police will visit work places – schools and companies. Those that will not have put in place safety and health measures will be closed.  They have been notified several times but most of them have not taken any steps to comply," said Karooro.

The safety and health requirements that institutions need to comply with include registration of workplaces by the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, plant and equipment examination and certification and approval of architectural plans and drawings of new workplaces and alterations of existing ones.

The minister said the compliance rate across the country is dismal at 30%, whereas in government institutions compliance stands at 45%.

Assistant Commissioner in charge of Occupational Safety in the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Alex Asiimwe, said a comprehensive list of the 300, 000 non-complaint institutions will be published in the media after February 28.

"Once the list is published in the media, the public will be advised not to deal with the non-complaint institutions because their operations will be illegal," said Asiimwe.

Chairman general of the National Organisation of Trade Unions (NOTU), Usher Wilson Owere, said he expects action upon elapse of the deadline set by the minister.

"We are a serious union and we expect that the ministry and police will take appropriate action on February 28. We have had many cases of workers in flower farms and factories getting injured because of lack of protective gears. Cable factories in Iganga and Lugazi have violated safety of their workers. We have also seen news reporters covering riots where there is teargas and live bullet shooting without any protective gear. This must be addressed," said Owere.
 
Recent occupational accidents and related diseases:

Fire outbreaks

2015: Haruna Towers

2014: Olam Uganda Limited, Namanve

2013, 2011, 2009: St. Balikuddembe Market

Ebola outbreaks

2000/2001: In Gulu, 23 medical workers died with Dr Lukwiya being at the forefront

2007: In Bundibugyo, 5 health workers including Dr. Jonah Kule died.

2012: In Kagadi, Clare Muhumuza died of Marburg hemorrhagic fever

In September 30, 2014, a radiographer at Mengo Hospital died while 38 health workers were suspected to have contracted the disease.

Collapsed Buildings

August 2011: Collapse of building under construction at Kasanga Church Zone in which a female house maid suffered multiple body injuries from flying debris.

March 2009: Mirembe Shopping Arcade caved in after an excavation, two people died and at least 20 oters sustained severe injuries

2009: Four casual labourers of Abu Construction Company working on Aya Hotel died and 11 others sustained serious injuries when a cable of a pulley system they were suing disintegrated.

2009: Seven people died and two workers were injured when a retaining wall collapsed at a National Social Fund building in Kampala.

January 2008: Three workers died when a building housing Mini Price Bata on Ben Kiwanuka Street collapsed.

January 2008: 11 workers died when an unfinished building at St. Peters Secondary School Naalya, collapsed.

 

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