As Uganda continues to expand its manufacturing industries, such as food processing, textile production and metal fabrication, there’s a higher demand for laborers across the nation. Currently, Uganda has one of the largest labor forces in sub-Saharan Africa, totaling 6.9 million workers in 1993. However, with 42% of citizens of Uganda less than the age of 14, the government has found it difficult to provide proper training, education and labor conditions. As a result, Uganda continues to be an undeveloped country with high levels of “vulnerable employment,” leading to inadequate salaries, low productivity and unsafe labor conditions.

Low Minimum Wages

Uganda’s poor working conditions are a huge reason why the country remains undeveloped. From low wages to extensive working hours to unsafe working environments, Uganda’s workforce is a potential threat to the health and safety of citizens. In 2017, Uganda upped its minimum wage from UGX 6,000 (About $1.60) per month to UGX 130,000 (About $35.08) per month.

While this has been a win for Ugandan citizens, this minimum wage almost exclusively applies to formal vocations. Other sectors of work, such as manufacturing, laboring and processing, remain vulnerable and uncovered. The cost of living continues to increase in Uganda, leaving those uncovered by minimum wage at a loss of proper shelter, nutrition and working conditions.

Lack of Training

Uganda has a significant youth population in sub-Saharan Africa. However, due to the lack of proper vocational training, nearly 13% of the youth are unemployed. This is one of the main factors contributing to Uganda’s high poverty and unemployment rates. Lack of training in Uganda especially affects young women.

A high school dropout, Evelyn Nakabuye, who lives on the outskirts of Kampala, survived years of joblessness due to the lack of proper training. She lived in a small house with her four children and her mother. However, in 2018, Nakabuye enrolled in a training program known as TEXFAD, which teaches carpet design in weaving. After just six months in the academy,

Nakabuye is now self-sufficient enough to own her own home and take care of her children. “This fund has really helped me,” Nakabuye said. “And it has changed my life.”

Low-Labor Productivity

Due to inadequate salaries and improper training, many Ugandans are at risk of low-labor productivity. Low labor productivity makes it difficult to generate morale among employees, profitability and high performance. The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) states that 70% of Ugandan employees work without a legal or written contract, despite it being a legal requirement for the employer to provide an employment contract for each employee. This is just one of the ways in which companies in Uganda sabotage the collective voices of workers in order to profit themselves.

Solutions

By introducing more reasonable salaries, training programs and working conditions, Uganda can begin to emerge from global poverty and economic crisis. Uganda’s Skills Development Project, for example, delivers high-quality training programs in Agriculture, construction and manufacturing.

As one of the rapidly growing economies in sub-Saharan Africa, Uganda is investing in proper training, funding and salaries to keep pace with the rest of the world. By ensuring that employees have safe, comfortable working conditions, proper education and adequate earnings, Uganda can work itself out of global poverty and thrive as a nation.

– London Collins Puc

London is based in West Palm Beach, FL, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash