Under the terms of the agreement, The International Textile, Garment and Leather Workers Federation (ITGLWF)-affiliated Uganda Textile, Garments, Leather and Allied Workers' Union and the manufacturers' association will conclude a collective bargaining agreement within one year.
Following years of effort, the Ugandan textile union has succeeded in winning recognition at three major factories in the industry.
The agreement was reached just days after the ILO's Committee on Freedom of Association examined a complaint lodged by the ITGLWF and told the government that it should spare no effort until recognition had been obtained.
This was the second time the ITGLWF had lodged an ILO complaint against the government as part of a national and international pressure campaign in protest at the fact that for over ten years, the union had been prevented from bargaining with employers, leaving workers unprotected.
Despite having the union having met the stringent requirements on bargaining rights set down in the Labour Code, a number of companies simply refused to grant recognition, and the government had so far failed to take decisive action to force them to do so.
The ILO has now asked the government to change its legislation on union recognition to bring it into line with the principles of freedom of association.
The ITGLWF has welcomed the agreement, which will permit the union to play its rightful role in effectively defending and representing workers in the industry, thus helping them to make a contribution to the development of their own national economy.
The International Textile, Garment and Leather Workers Federation is an International Trade Secretariat bringing together 217 affiliated organisations in 110 countries.
The International Textile, Garment and Leather Workers Federation
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