Trade Unions

Questions and answers about trade unions FAQ in Uganda on mywage.org/uganda including roles of trade unions, objectives of trade union, rights of trade union

What is a trade union?

It is any organisation created by employees for the purpose of representing the rights and interests of employees and includes all registered labour unions at the commencement of the Labour Unions, 2006.

Can any employee join a labour union?

Yes. It is the right of the employee to join a labour union. However, the employee also has the right not to join a labour union.

Who pays union dues?

All employees who are members of a particular union are required to provide a written instruction to their employers for a deduction to be made from their salary on a monthly basis or as may be agreed between the employee and the union.

Why should union members pay union dues?

The payment is meant to facilitate the work of the union to negotiate for better terms and conditions of service for all employees at any given work place where unions exist.

Do employees have a right to organise?

In the context of Uganda, employees have the right to organise themselves in any labour union. Under this arrangement, employees are entitled to serve or assist in the running of the labour union to which they belong. Once employees have agreed to join a trade union, they can bargain collectively through a representative of their own choosing. An employee can freely engage in other lawful activities for the purposes of collective bargaining or any other mutual aid practice. The employee also has the capacity to withdraw his or her labour and take industrial action if deemed necessary.

 What can employees do if their right to organise is violated?

 When it is clear that the an employer has contravened the section that allows employees to organize, then workers bring an action to the Industrial Court of Uganda – once its operations start in August 2014. The employee must be aware that the Industrial Court has to be fully satisfied by their claim/s. If found to be true, then the court can order appropriate relief for the complaining party, including, but not limited to the reinstatement of any employee in case he or she has been dismissed.

Do the Ugandan labour laws support employees in association?

Employees are guaranteed safety since compliance with the law is assured by the registrar’s office. He has the powers to investigate the conduct of an employer on matters relating to abuse of the right of association.

In Uganda, an employee who believes that his or her rights provided under the Labour Unions Act have been violated, can appeal to the industrial court for an appropriate order.

What offences and fines are associated with violation of the employees’ right of association?

An employer who contravenes Section 4 has committed an offence and is liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding ninety six currency points or imprisonment for a term not exceeding four years, or to both; and in case of a continuous offence, is liable, on conviction, to a fine of two currency points for every day or part of a day during which the offence continues.

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It is any organisation created by employees for the purpose of representing the rights and interests of employees and includes all registered labour unions at the commencement of the Labour Unions, 2006.

Can any employee join a labour union?

Yes. It is the right of the employee to join a labour union. However, the employee also has the right not to join a labour union.

Who pays union dues?

All employees who are members of a particular union are required to provide a written instruction to their employers for a deduction to be made from their salary on a monthly basis or as may be agreed between the employee and the union.

Why should union members pay union dues?

The payment is meant to facilitate the work of the union to negotiate for better terms and conditions of service for all employees at any given work place where unions exist.


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