UPC to govt: We consider teachers a “very important component”

The Ministry of Public Service has given teachers two days to resume work or they will be discharged.

By Our Reporter

Kampala – June 22, 2022: Industrial actions in Uganda are becoming the order of the day with the government yet to value other key sectors. Education and health have seen its staff striking and later laying down their tools over poor remunerations by the government.

The striking workers are often threatened by the government with dismissal from civil service and often they resume work with unsatisfied minds.

Addressing a weekly media conference in Kampala, Wednesday, Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC) party said a few years back we have registered a string of industrial strikes from various sections of workers. 

“Health and Education have taken the lead and discussions have gone on with line Ministries and on some occasions, the President of the Republic of Uganda has been involved,” Arach Oyat Sharon, the party’s spokesperson said at the conference. 

Arach added that UPC considers teachers as a very important component of the workforce sector in this country. “The current industrial action by teachers comes on the back of previous disagreements workers from the education sector have been having with Government over pay!”

Their only hope which was covered in the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and promised to be implemented in a phased manner, fell short of implementation which has caused more challenges, according to the Kampala road-based party.

“The new FY2022/2023 budget that has come with enhanced salary increments for Scientists and Science Teachers of over 300% with 0% increments to their counter-parts of the Arts Teachers has left them (Arts) confused and in total despair! They feel unappreciated and discriminated. This is totally unfair and should be discouraged!”

The only way they [teachers] felt to express their displeasure is downing the tools and hoping that the government listens to the pleas they tabled through Uganda National Teachers Union. The worker’s rights are protected under the Constitution of Uganda and labor laws. 

UPC acknowledges that workers in different fields across the country cannot meet their daily needs due to harsh economic challenges not limited to skyrocketing prices of essential commodities and to make matters worse, the social contract between those being taxed and those levying the taxes are all but non-existent. 

The party also added that the services provided by the government are scant, and when available are generally of poor quality. “That means that citizens have to rely on the private sector, which is beyond the means of the vast majority.”

“It is apparent from the budgetary allocations that the citizens’ concerns are taking second place. It is a pity that we have come to such a deadlock as a nation.”

“UPC is a party whose ideology is centered on a welfare state that places the concerns of the citizens as the most important and its historical legacy is there for all to see. Institutions in charge of working out salaries and wages structures, as well as conditions of service, need to have a wider consultation and see how best the CBA can be implemented without causing tremors in the teaching fraternity with the utmost urgency to avoid the grave effects. 

“This should also take a closer look at other civil servants as well because they do face similar socio-economic challenges, especially with skyrocketing prices for goods and services. This can indeed offer a better opportunity to harmonize the salaries and look critically into the conditions and terms of employment for workers in both government and private sectors,” Arach noted.

“Uganda Peoples Congress, therefore, urges the government to always consider formulating pro-people policies as well as establishing mechanisms that unite the country. It is only a united workforce that can boost development in any given country that should be embraced by the government. UPC calls for equal pay for workers with equal value.”

According to the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Public Service Catherine Bitarakwate, teachers who are not willing to work under the current state are free to quit, calling the aggrieved teachers to sue government.