Hoima probes Chinese firm over abuse of workers

Hoima- Hoima District authorities are investigating China Railway No 5 Engineering Group Company over allegations of poor working conditions.

The company was contracted by government to tarmac the Bulima-Kabwooya road, which is one of the sections of the 238-km Kigumba-Hoima-Kagadi-Kyenjojo road.

The Resident District Commissioner, Mr Isaac Kawooya, said a probe into the company operations was one of the resolutions of a recon ciliatory meeting the district security committee had with the company officials and workers who went on strike last week.

Mr Kawooya said the striking workers accused the Chinese workers of assaulting them, overworking them beyond the eight hours they agreed to work a day and denying them safety gear.

The workers alleged that they are paid between Shs9,500 and Shs13,000 daily and Shs1,500 is deducted for lunch which was not earlier agreed.

The workers claimed that their wages are low yet the firm does not pay them transport and accommodation allowances.
“We agreed that the workers and their employers should not assault each other because that is criminal,” Mr Kawooya said last Sunday.

However, company officials said the workers, especially drivers, have been siphoning fuel from the company’s vehicles and selling it to local businessmen, thus causing financial loss to the company.

“We established that some drivers are siphoning fuel. We warned that workers engaged in such activities will be dealt with decisively since it is economic sabotage that may affect the road project,” Mr Kawooya said.
The officials reportedly put padlocks on fuel tanks last Friday to limit fuel siphoning.

The district leaders instructed the company to give workers safety gear such as mouth masks, helmets, reflector jackets, overalls and gloves.

The key issues
The district leadership also instructed the district labour officer, Mr Tony Ayesiga, to investigate and consult labour laws to ensure that citizens are not exploited.

Mr Ayesiga said the probe will also verify allegations by workers that they are denied leave, their superiors smoke in ungazzeted smoking areas and that there is lack of an accident compensation scheme. Mr Ayesiga is expected to provide a comprehensive report within a month.

editorial@ug.nationmedia.com