MPs want govt to fix minimum wage
Aug 30, 2011
MEMBERS of Parliament have asked Government to set a minimum wage to stop the exploitation of workers by profit minded investors.
By Mary Karugaba
and Catherine Bekunda
MEMBERS of Parliament have asked Government to set a minimum wage to stop the exploitation of workers by profit minded investors.
Uganda last set a minimum wage in 1984 at sh6000 per month under a decree that has remained in force to date.
A number of workers' rights activists, including trade unionists have also called for a review of the policy on minimum wage but government has remained adamant to those calls.
The MPs who were discussing a report of the committee on Gender, Labour and social Development noted that despite the rising cost of living, the majority of unskilled workers continue to be paid little money by their employers.
Minimum wage is the lowest hourly, daily or monthly wage an employer is required to pay a worker.
“We cannot accept this kind of exploitation. Many Ugandans are abused, work for long hours but only get sh50, 000 per month. This is modern slavery which Government must put to an end,†opposition MP Florence Ekwau said.
Arinaitwe Rwakajara noted that although minimum wage is determined by forces of market demand the government must protect its citizens.
He said sometimes employers do not pay their workers’ at all.
In 1995, the Minimum Wages Advisory Council recommended sh75,000 per month as a minimum wage for unskilled workers but the proposal has never been implemented.
Government bureaucrats argue that setting a minimum wage would cause massive unemployment and scare away investors.
The report presented by the committee chairperson William Nokrach, noted that the Ministry of Finance has continued to hold on to the sh44b Youth fund instead of releasing it to the sector ministry for easy administration.
The MPs recommended that the money be returned to the ministry of Gender so as to take lead in the implementation of the project.
Nokrach also wondered why the ministry has not provided money to all cultural leaders. According to the report, only 12 cultural leaders out of 16 were allocated funds this financial year.
According to the chairperson, the Iteso cultural leader was not given money because of failure to provide adequate documentation on ownership of the land on which to build the palace despite several reminders.
Gender minister Syda Bbumba explained that she does not mind where the Youth funds are housed but proper management should be made.
“What I want to see is impact not who houses the fund. We don’t want it to be like the previous youth funds,†she said.
and Catherine Bekunda
MEMBERS of Parliament have asked Government to set a minimum wage to stop the exploitation of workers by profit minded investors.
Uganda last set a minimum wage in 1984 at sh6000 per month under a decree that has remained in force to date.
A number of workers' rights activists, including trade unionists have also called for a review of the policy on minimum wage but government has remained adamant to those calls.
The MPs who were discussing a report of the committee on Gender, Labour and social Development noted that despite the rising cost of living, the majority of unskilled workers continue to be paid little money by their employers.
Minimum wage is the lowest hourly, daily or monthly wage an employer is required to pay a worker.
“We cannot accept this kind of exploitation. Many Ugandans are abused, work for long hours but only get sh50, 000 per month. This is modern slavery which Government must put to an end,†opposition MP Florence Ekwau said.
Arinaitwe Rwakajara noted that although minimum wage is determined by forces of market demand the government must protect its citizens.
He said sometimes employers do not pay their workers’ at all.
In 1995, the Minimum Wages Advisory Council recommended sh75,000 per month as a minimum wage for unskilled workers but the proposal has never been implemented.
Government bureaucrats argue that setting a minimum wage would cause massive unemployment and scare away investors.
The report presented by the committee chairperson William Nokrach, noted that the Ministry of Finance has continued to hold on to the sh44b Youth fund instead of releasing it to the sector ministry for easy administration.
The MPs recommended that the money be returned to the ministry of Gender so as to take lead in the implementation of the project.
Nokrach also wondered why the ministry has not provided money to all cultural leaders. According to the report, only 12 cultural leaders out of 16 were allocated funds this financial year.
According to the chairperson, the Iteso cultural leader was not given money because of failure to provide adequate documentation on ownership of the land on which to build the palace despite several reminders.
Gender minister Syda Bbumba explained that she does not mind where the Youth funds are housed but proper management should be made.
“What I want to see is impact not who houses the fund. We don’t want it to be like the previous youth funds,†she said.