New jobs for Ugandans in Turkey

By Patrick Jaramogi

Trade between Uganda and Turkey has been bolstered further following the signing of an agreement between the Turkish Trade Union (HAK-IS) and the National Organisation of Trade Unions (NOTU) from Uganda.

The two leading trade unions agreed to boost cooperation in the areas of socio- economic life of the citizens of the two nations.

Mahmut Arslan president of HAK- IS signed on behalf of the Turkish government while Usher Owere signed on behalf of NOTU.

 “We are aiming at developing bilateral relations to exchange information and experiences of works of confederations,” said Owere Usher Wilson NOTO chairman General.

He said following the signing of the agreement in Turkey last week, NOTO and HAK-IS agreed to exchange trade delegations to learn more about labour life and trade union activities.

“We shall provide and exchange consultation services as well as training of experts of the two unions this new opportunity will create more employments for Ugandans in Turkey,” said Owere.

The two trade unions also agreed to ensure good social security for the workers of the two countries by following up on recent developments of policies in each country.

Owere noted that following the global economic crisis, many workers, the world over were facing challenges due to massive job losses.

“As a result of the world economic troubles, millions of workers are losing jobs at a terrific speed. In the developing countries; Uganda in particular, the informal sector is increasing while the formal sector is shrinking,” said Owere.

He told the Turkish unionist that Government had deliberately refused to effect the Minimum wage legislation arguing that Minimum wage is a disincentive to foreign investment.

 “Trade Union Movement is operating in a very unfavorable environment. We are currently having an agenda of re-branding ourselves, recruit more members and have a voice that the Government can respect. But we have still have challenges,” he said.