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11 June, 2015Twenty-one women leaders and shop stewards from IndustriALL Global Union affiliated unions in Uganda met at the end of May 2015 to discuss issues faced by women workers, particularly the need for improved maternity protection.
Participants put together a list of issues that the unions must champion with regard to maternity protection which, include enforcement of legal rights on maternity leave and trade unions taking up grievances on the problem.
They listed health and safety concerns affecting pregnant women as well as concessions that need to be made for special circumstances, such as premature birth. Maternity rights and job security for contract workers was also discussed.
The meeting, which took place in the Ugandan capital, Dar es Salaam, was attended by Angeline Chitambo, member of IndustriALL’s Executive Committee. Participants were enthused with the exchange of experience and advices given by Angeline, who reiterated the need for strong women structures that are constitutionally recognized by unions and which play a major role in encouraging more women to join the trade union movement.
The women’s meeting was preceded by a meeting of the IndustriALL Uganda national council, during which the general secretaries and education officers from affiliated unions agreed to intensify organizing and recruitment of new members, including contract workers, and to develop strategies on labour agencies. They also discussed skills needs now that the labour court in Uganda is being reinstated after a more than a 20-year hiatus.