Jinja dam staff on strike
Jan 30, 2003
WORKERS of the Uganda Electricity Generation Company Limited (UEGCL) at the Nalubaale (former Owen Falls) and Kiira electricity power dams in Jinja have gone on a sit-down strike demanding their terminal benefits from Uganda Electricity Board, the mother company.
By Jonathan Angura
and Abubaker Mukose
WORKERS of the Uganda Electricity Generation Company Limited (UEGCL) at the Nalubaale (former Owen Falls) and Kiira electricity power dams in Jinja have gone on a sit-down strike demanding their terminal benefits from Uganda Electricity Board, the mother company.
Over 200 workers yesterday abandoned their work places after failing to get communication from UEB over payment of their terminal benefits following its split into four companies.
“The workers have expressed fear that they may not receive their benefits after February 24, when Eskom takes over UEGCL. There has been no communication from UEB to assure the workers of their payment, leading to the strike,†Perez Aligaweesa, the workers’ union chairman, said.
UEGCL managing director, John Mugyenzi, blamed the workers for what he termed as “misdirecting their anger to a wrong target.â€
He said UEB was responsible for the workers’ benefits.
Yesterday, Mugyenzi met members of the Uganda Electricity Workers and Allied Union led by their chairman Francis Mirimo, and advised them to urge the workers to call off the strike.
However, Aligaweesa said attempts by Mirimo’s team to convince the workers to resume duty hit a snag when the workers demanded a written assurance from UEB before Eskom takes over UEGCL on February 24 as per the transfer agreement.
and Abubaker Mukose
WORKERS of the Uganda Electricity Generation Company Limited (UEGCL) at the Nalubaale (former Owen Falls) and Kiira electricity power dams in Jinja have gone on a sit-down strike demanding their terminal benefits from Uganda Electricity Board, the mother company.
Over 200 workers yesterday abandoned their work places after failing to get communication from UEB over payment of their terminal benefits following its split into four companies.
“The workers have expressed fear that they may not receive their benefits after February 24, when Eskom takes over UEGCL. There has been no communication from UEB to assure the workers of their payment, leading to the strike,†Perez Aligaweesa, the workers’ union chairman, said.
UEGCL managing director, John Mugyenzi, blamed the workers for what he termed as “misdirecting their anger to a wrong target.â€
He said UEB was responsible for the workers’ benefits.
Yesterday, Mugyenzi met members of the Uganda Electricity Workers and Allied Union led by their chairman Francis Mirimo, and advised them to urge the workers to call off the strike.
However, Aligaweesa said attempts by Mirimo’s team to convince the workers to resume duty hit a snag when the workers demanded a written assurance from UEB before Eskom takes over UEGCL on February 24 as per the transfer agreement.