Passing the minimum wage bill to fix labor exploitation

By Daudi Zirimala

The National Organization of trade Unions has welcomed the passing of the minimum wage bill by parliament saying that this will reduce on workers exploitation.

According to Chairman General NOTU, Usher Wilson Owere, once the president accents the bill into law,the ministry of labour will set a board that will determine the minimum wage annually for all workers in the country.

He said that the minimum wage bills will eliminate the bottlenecks that have been affecting workers and employers by setting up the minimum wage the employees should get.

Ugandan employers face a three year jail term or a penalty of up to 10 million Shillings, if they are found paying their workers, anything that falls below the minimum wage. The sentences were approved in a new law, the Minimum Wages Bill, 2015, which was passed by Parliament last evening.

The bill also sets a fine of 480,000 Shillings and a jail term of 12 months or both on conviction of any person who obstructs an authorized officer from carrying out his or her duty. The bill was moved by Worker’s MP Arinaitwe Rwakajara, to repeal the Minimum Wages Advisory Board Act which doesn’t provide for an employee-employer led, and a sectoral based minimum wage determination.

Under the provisions of the new law, various sectors will help the minister to set minimum wages every year. It provides for the establishment of a Minimum Wages Advisory Board, appointed by the Minister of Labour in consultation with the Public Service Commission and approved by Cabinet.