Here Is Minister Among's Statement At The 113th Session Of The International Labour Conference Geneva

MINISTER OF GENDER, LABOUR AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA 113TH SESSION OF THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR CONFERENCE GENEVA

The President and Vice Presidents,

The Director General,

Distinguished Delegates.

Allow me to start with congratulating the President and Vice Presidents of this session upon their election; and thank the Chairperson of the Governing Body and the Director General for their reports to the Conference. Am pleased to address you on behalf of the government of Uganda.

We meet at a time of a polycrisis with interconnected challenges.   Many economies are experiencing jobless growth, rising number of workers in platform economy and informal sector, increasing impact of climate change on labour productivity and livelihoods amidst decent work deficits, global political polarization and geopolitical instability.

In confronting these interconnected challenges, Uganda is committed to advancing the social contract that underpin economic growth, jobs and rights. We recognize the need for increase in high productivity jobs, and our strategy targets agricultural sector where majority of Ugandans are employed, through accelerating agri-business and agro-processing. This will enable us to scale a process of structural change.

Since most of our workers are on farms, we have incentivized commercial agriculture by providing affordable credit to farmers, encouraged collaborations up and down the value chain; improved access to better inputs, technology know-how, logistics, including storage and transport, accelerated growth in agricultural productivity and ensured that Uganda’s farmers are better connected to markets. We have also facilitated regional trade and encouraged private investment in the sector.

Created more waged jobs: through fostering economic growth with macro-economic stability, improved investors access to land for industrial sites, prioritized infrastructure projects, especially electricity and roads, focused budget support in tourism, service sectors & ICT, and invested in climate-favorable cross-border trade and transport logistics. This has seen a surge in FDI and local investments in these sectors leading to about 2million jobs created over the last 5years.

Fostered inclusion into better jobs:  improve opportunities for informal and micro-firms, and reformed women, PWD and youth employment programs to help young Ugandans find employment. Through NSSF, we have initiated investment entrepreneurs’ programs for pensioners that has seen many transitioning into job creators at retirement through prudent investment of their social security retirement funds.

Skilling for jobs, and provision of tools and Equipment: through presidential skilling centers, ministries of Gender, labour and social development, and that of education and sports, we have established skilling centers for technical on job training to transition youth and women from the informal trade sectors, to gainful employable skills. We also provide them with tools and equipment to start their own enterprises or expand their businesses.

Government has initiated several wealth creation funds to provide access to affordable capital in other sectors ( Emyooga, UWEP, YLP, GROW, PDM, agricultural funds, etc) which has led to significant job creation and entrepreneurial  growth and development. Cumulatively, over the last 10years, government of Uganda has injected 8.09trillion equivalent of 2,250bnUSD for job creation programs targeting affordable access to capital for entrepreneurial development & expansion, manufacturing, revitalization and modernization of agricultural sector to create jobs at rural levels, supporting women, youth, SME post COVID recovery funds, and export promotions. We are also supporting youth innovations entrepreneurs through grants. This has seen several young people employ themselves through technological inventions.

Prioritized rights of workers: scaled up collaboration with Employers, trade unions, companies and private sectors to enforce employment Act, inspections for compliance with labour laws and whistleblowing programs. Our President H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has also launched the third Decent Work Country Programme for Uganda with a budget of US$ 67.96 million, a programme that will run for a period of five years. The programme will address the decent work deficits including rights at work, productive employment, OSH and social dialogue.

In conclusion, Uganda therefore, remains committed in facilitating job creation, protecting the rights of workers and enhancing economic growth as a strategy of addressing social inclusion. We remain committed to our obligations under the ILO framework.                                                                      Thank you.