IGP calls for protection of domestic workers

Apr 10, 2013

The Inspector General of Police, Lt. Gen. Kale Kayihura, has urged the Police to keenly follow cases of abuse and harassment of female domestic workers by their employers in an effort to protect their rights.

By Eddie Sejjoba

The Inspector General of Police, Lt. Gen. Kale Kayihura, has urged the Police to keenly follow cases of abuse and harassment of female domestic workers by their employers in an effort to protect their rights.

He said the physical proximity of domestic workers to members of the household of their employers exposes them to abuse and harassment. He urged people who employ housemaids to respect their rights.

This was in a speech read by Stephen Kamukugize, a senior Police officer, during the closure of a two-day workshop for labour officers plus law enforcement and family liaison Police officers from the Kampala Metropolitan area.

The workshop, conducted by the Platform for Labour Action (PLA) in Lugogo, was organised to train and sensitise Police and labour officers about the need to promote and protect the human rights of domestic workers.

Kayihura asked the trainees to sensitise community leaders on their roles in protecting the rights of vulnerable domestic workers by diligently following and forwarding cases involving violation of their rights.

Isaac Arinaitwe, he programme officer of PLA, told participants that a study showed that most domestic workers did not know their rights and where to report in case of abuse, adding that they usually suffer quietly.

“Many of these girls face challenges like violence, insults, sexual harassment, unfair termination of work and non-payment of their salaries, yet they cannot report anywhere for help,” he said.

Police officers resolved to work with local leaders to register and sensitise the workers on where to register their complaints.

 

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