Nakivubo channel workers protest

Dec 31, 2000

Workers of the Nakivubo Channel rehabilitation project have protested over poor working conditions and delayed payments.

By Catherine Kigozi Workers of the Nakivubo Channel rehabilitation project have protested over poor working conditions and delayed payments. The workers told The New Vision last week that their contractors, the China Civil Construction Company, had refused to provide them with protective gear like gloves and gumboots. "Our bosses have failed to provide us with necessary protective equipment which is putting our health at great risk of contracting unknown diseases. "If they do not respond to our request before the beginning of the year, we shall put down the tools until our condition is looked into," one worker said. The over US$24m project, funded by the World Bank, is expected to last nine months. It aims at reducing floods in the city. A supervisor, who preferred anonymity, said some workers had not yet been provided with working equipment and payments are not regular. The channel rehabilitation is divided into phases with some work starting at the base of the channel at Kanyogoga, Katwe, Makerere and Luzira. John Ssebaana Kizito, the Kampala Mayor, said the Kampala City Council (KCC) was not responsible for the workers' payment. "KCC is not responsible for paying any worker working under the Nakivubo Channel project. "The Chinese won the tender and we gave them the contract. They are supposed to pay their workers and not KCC," he said. Ssebaana said KCC would only intervene if there was a problem which necessitated its involvement. "If it is true that workers are not being paid KCC can intervene in the matter. "It is not our responsibility to instruct work because there is a contractor for the project," he said. Ends

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