Loopholes in East Africa integration worry MPs

Apr 29, 2013

East Africa has not fully implemented free movement of labour despite the agreement under the Customs Union.

By Patrick Jaramogi

Members of Parliament have observed that there is still no free movement of labour across the East African partner states despite the agreement under the Customs Union.  


The workers MPs called for the fast-tracking of free circulation of goods in order to spur the flow of services.

“We need to harmonize our laws so that we are at par in the region. Much as we advocate for harmonization of labor laws in the region, our Uganda Parliament is busy passing and amending laws that are contrary to the EAC position,” said MP Marion Tunde.

She told a national meeting on the program of free movement of workers that there is still no free movement of labor in the region. “Free movement of labor in the trade union perspective means making it easy for all people to access employment in any part of the EAC member states,” she said.

MP Rwakatamba Kajara Arinaitwe noted that it’s only when member states allow free movement of labor that the region will increase investment and lead to realization of a Common Market.

“Strengthening the existing legal and regulatory framework to support a fully-fledged Customs Union coupled with a good political will and total commitment by all economic actors, with emphasis on eliminating the NTBs, is critical in enhancing the regional integration,” said Kajara.

Former workers’ MP now a job creation researcher, Martin Wandera noted that the challenges of low labor productivity would put Ugandans in a dis-advantaged position.

“Labor productivity is important for economic growth and competition. We are in the EAC but all of us are running different economies,” he told the stakeholder meeting organized by the Southern and Eastern African Trade Information and Negotiation Institute (SEATINI).

He pointed out that nations cannot eradicate poverty without employment creation for their nationals. He highlighted factors such as capital accumulation, organizational capabilities, physical infrastructure and technology as key factors that ensure labor productivity.

The SEATINI Executive Director, Ambassador Nathan Irumba said the potential that Uganda’s economic sectors presents, far outweighs the current attempts to exploit it.

Dr. Sam Lyomoki, workers MP said Uganda should take advantage of the Customs Union despite the existing gaps. “The people first need to understand how they can benefit from the Customs Union and the free movement of labor. This means we must adjust the way we do business as Ugandans,” said Lyomoki.

He wondered why Ugandans are not concerned about labor issues.  “As we speak the environment is not good for Uganda and Ugandans. We need to do a lot of things to catch up with other EAC states,” he said.

He called for the setting up of labour institutions to churn out Ugandans who will know and ensure work ethics.

 

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});