FUE to focus ICT to Address Labour Challenges in Uganda

On December 18th, 2024, the Federation of Uganda Employers (FUE) convened a stakeholders’ workshop at Hotel Africana in Kampala to explore solutions to labor issues and the rights of gig workers in Uganda. The workshop, themed The Gig Economy and Labour Rights, brought together various stakeholders to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the country’s rapidly expanding digital economy.

The gig economy is an emerging labor market characterized by short-term contracts or freelance work, such as that of SafeBoda riders, Uber drivers, and Jumia delivery personnel. These workers often lack traditional employment benefits, such as minimum wage, overtime pay, or workers’ compensation, creating significant challenges for the protection of their rights.

The workshop focused on the need for comprehensive policies that protect the rights of gig workers and support the sustainable growth of Uganda’s digital economy. This aligns with the FUE’s mission to influence policy, promote decent work, and engage stakeholders in coordinated efforts to address labor rights issues that limit participation in Uganda’s digital economy, particularly for marginalized groups.

Addressing the attendees, the CEO of the Federation of Uganda Employers, Mr. Douglas Opiyo, emphasized that the workshop was a continuation of previous efforts to find practical solutions for addressing challenges faced by digital workers. He underscored the importance of using Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to tackle these issues, and revealed plans to launch a digital platform by April 2025 to facilitate stakeholder interaction and collaboration.

Opiyo also highlighted the importance of supporting the creation of new jobs and helping young people acquire the skills necessary to remain innovative and productive in a digital-driven economy.

Mr. Dan Okaya, Head of Policy and Research at FUE, also addressed the gathering, stressing that labor rights are enshrined in both national and international laws. However, he noted that these laws do not adequately address the rights of online and gig workers. According to Okaya, the COVID-19 pandemic not only changed the way people work but also opened up new opportunities for employment, such as the rise of social media influencers.

Okaya emphasized the importance of ensuring that gig workers have the right to collective bargaining, so they are not exploited by employers. He also called for the abolition of forced and child labor and fought for fair wages, social security, and the elimination of gender-based discrimination in the workplace.

He identified some of the primary challenges faced by digital workers, including limited access to digital infrastructure (such as poor internet coverage in certain areas) and financial services, such as mobile money and banking services. Additionally, the lack of job security for gig workers was noted as a major concern.

Mrs. Esther Namatovu, Head of the ICT Department at the National Organization of Trade Unions (NOTU), representing the Secretary-General of NOTU, also spoke at the event. She echoed the sentiment that as Uganda transitions to a digital world, there is a pressing need to advocate for the rights of gig economy workers. She highlighted the gap in existing labor laws, which often fail to protect these workers, and called for standardized wages to curb exploitation.

In his remarks, Mr. Isaiah Masiga, Head of Internal Employment at the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, acknowledged the Ministry’s concern about labor rights. He also stressed the importance of developing a manufacturing and skills-based workforce, alongside growing the population. Masiga called for greater collaboration with telecommunications companies to ensure that digital workers across Uganda have access to reliable internet and communication infrastructure. He urged Ugandans to take full advantage of the expanding digital economy as it offers significant opportunities for employment.

The workshop provided an important opportunity for various stakeholders—including government ministries, employers’ organizations, workers’ organizations, training institutions, civil society groups, digital platforms, start-ups, and researchers—to collaborate, share knowledge, and advocate for policies that protect the rights of workers in Uganda’s digital economy.

As Uganda continues to embrace the digital economy, there is a growing need to address the unique challenges faced by gig workers. With continued collaboration and policy development, the country can create a more inclusive and secure labor environment that benefits all workers in the digital age.