The Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development plans to scale up interventions to reach the informal sector, which employs more than 80% of Uganda’s labor force and contributes over 50% of Uganda’s GDP.
Minister Betty Amongi said such tailor-made solutions based on the Vision Zero Strategy, is their commitment to boosting human dignity and productivity in the context of safer and healthier work.
“My ministry’s emphasis shall be to extend protections beyond formal workplaces, empower workers to know their rights and report hazards without fear, leverage technology through like simple solutions to bridge gaps, and deepen collaboration with employers, unions, and other partners,” she said on Wednesday.
Amongi was speaking at the International Vision Zero Africa Conference held at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala.
She said the conference is a catalyst, not an endpoint; a reminder to all Ugandans that safety is a shared responsibility hence the need for us to champion it in our homes, workplaces and communities.
“To the business owners, leaders and employers, it is a reminder that investing in safety and in people is not a cost, but an investment, giving you a competitive edge in business,” she said.
She said hosting the Conference is therefore their declaration that Uganda refuses to accept work-related harm as inevitable. “We stand with the global movement to say “Zero is possible” as long as all stakeholders come on board and put in the time, resources and commitment.”
She added that as political leaders, they pledge their continued commitment to this and other strategies to improve public safety and access to information for the people they serve.