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The Government has been urged to install closed-circuit TV (CCTV) cameras at various locations within public institutions.

The public labour unions say doing so will aid in gathering evidence of workplace violence and harassment so that offenders can be prosecuted.

Michael Mugabo, Busoga region co-ordinator for the Uganda Nurses and Midwives Union (UNWU) says there is a need to strengthen worker security, particularly for those working night shifts in health facilities.

“Many of the health workers are abused but fear to report to retain their jobs just because they cannot prove a thing. That is why the issue of CCTV cameras is very crucial to help gather evidence,” he adds.

During the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) dialogue in Kampala on Thursday, he admitted that many of the medical facilities in his service region lack privacy.

 “You find health facilities with just one duty station and keep in mind that night shifts are sometimes required. Due to the nature of the infrastructure, you therefore find male and female nurses and doctors resting in the same room. This is not proper,” he said.

He underlined that sexual harassment occurrences persist because there is no secure location where employees may report incidents without fear of losing their jobs.

According to the International Labor Organisation (ILO), over 35% of women worldwide, age 15 and older, have suffered sexual or physical violence at home or at work. But few victims disclose their experiences when they have suffered more than one form of violence and harassment, especially women at about 60% compared to men. Many are reluctant to report out of concern for their reputation, while others believe it is a waste of time.

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) established the 2019 Violence and Harassment No. 190 with the goal of defending the workforce at all levels from mistreatment. Uganda ratified it in July of this year.

According to a recent OSH research from 2020–2021, workers in several public sectors, primarily the health, education and energy sectors, continue to experience harassment in various forms.

The sub-regional secretary for English-speaking Africa at Public Service International, Evelyn Aketch said this is because there aren't any transparent or open forums where people may voice their issues while still having to defend their jobs.

“We realised that this continued violence and harassment affects the productivity of workers in various ways. That is why we saw that it was prudent to have a dialogue with the line ministries to see what measure can be put in place to address the weaknesses in the OSH at places of work,” she added.

She expressed alarm about the increasing number of workplace sextortion incidents.

“Where a boss is asking for sex in return for either promotion, training or even transfer, and this is not acceptable. If you are going to provide quality public services, you must ensure that the workers are treated fairly. Promote them on the basis of their qualification/performance not on the basis of their sex or financial transaction,” she noted.

Acting chairperson general of the National Organisation of Trade Unions (NOTU) doubling as general secretary of the National Union of Education Institutions (NUEI), Musa Okello, stated that OSH committees, guidance and establishing policies of reporting mechanisms for sexual harassment are necessary.

He added that sextortion is a weapon for marks, job securing, transfer, and promotions in various sectors including local governments.

Although men are also affected, he pointed out that women make up 80% of those who face violence and harassment at work.

Musa also pleaded with the Government to expand the number of labour inspectors and officers in districts and provide them with the tools they need to effectively supervise workplaces.

They asked Parliament to expedite the law reforms including the passing of the Employment Amendment Bill, 2022, Employment (Sexual Harassment Regulations, 2012), National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights, among others.

They stressed that the continued violation and abuse of workers’ rights in Uganda, including low pay, sexual abuse and poor working conditions like lack of protective gear, among others, is partly because “there are glaring gaps in labour rights policies and the administration of the existing laws”.

The Uganda Annual National Labour Force Survey of 2021 revealed that the majority of employed persons (67%) were employed on the basis of oral agreements, meaning that only 33% had written contracts.

This means the majority of Ugandan workers provide labour at the mercy of the employer, within the private sector, without the protection of the law from exploitation, redress in case of rights violations or workplace injuries, or unfair dismissal, among others.