Gender ministry courts ILO support for workplace legislation

(Courtesy photo)

LABOUR & GENDER

As one of the sectors that received a relatively low share of the recently read national budget (sh165.73b of sh29trillion), the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development has since opted for alternative support with the International Labour Conference in Geneva, Switzerland, last week offering the ultimate platform.

In a special session with the International Labour Organisation boss, Guy Ryder, the team led by Minister Janat Mukwaya, asked for support in the review of the current generation of labour laws and review of the second decent work country programme.

During the engagement, Mukwaya also asked ILO for support to conduct specialized training for Labour and Occupational Safety and Health Inspectors, training of Industrial Court panelists, development of the Labour Productivity Policy, development of training modules for Labour and Occupational Safety & Health Inspection and Assessment of Labour and Occupational Safety & Health Inspection needs.

In a bid to curb the increasing skill shortages, the officials also asked the labour organisation to support the pilot and eventual roll out of the proposed National Apprenticeship Programme Framework for school leavers.

According to the Ministry, this is an employment-based training scheme that will target unemployed school dropouts, school leavers and university graduates.

Under the scheme, the apprentice (trainee) will be attached to a practical job with an experienced staffer who can pass on the skills.  An internationally recognized license will then be issued after successful completion of the program.

Unlike internship, apprenticeship will be regulated by law and comes with an employment contract and wages for the trainee.

Mukwaya's team had among others the Permanent Secretary Pius Bigirimana, employers' representatives led by Rose Mary Ssenabulya and Workers' representatives led by Peter Werikhe.

The International Labour conference is an annual event attended by ILO member states with a key objective of crafting and adopting labour conventions and recommendations.