Minister Amongi Calls for Modernization of Employment Laws to Address Digital Economy

The Minister for Gender, Labour and Social Development, Betty Amongi has said it is high time Uganda modernized it s employment laws in a bid to address the digital economy.

Speaking during the opening ceremony of the third Annual National Labour Convention and Expo as Mestil Hotel in Kampala, Amongi said moderning laws will ensure better protection for workers.

“We need to look at employment broadly. The online employment is now generating a lot of money, and I looked at most of the youth are really online employment,” she said.

“We need greater engagement with employers on the issue of compensation for people who get injured at work.”

The minister said despite several gains, compliance with labour laws in Uganda still faces several challenges, including limited human and financial capacity to enforce labour standards, especially at the Local Government level.

“Many labour offices are understaffed and under-resourced, making it difficult to effectively cover all workplaces, including the informal sector where violations are most prevalent,” she said.

Amongi also decried low awareness and limited understanding of labour laws among employers and workers which she said continue to hinder compliance.

“Many businesses, particularly small and medium enterprises, operate without written particulars, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), policies against violence and harassment at the workplace or social protection mechanisms. At the same time, workers often lack the knowledge or confidence to claim their rights, and in some cases, fear retaliation when they do so.”

According to the minister, in order to enhance compliance with labour laws and accelerate decent work outcomes, her ministry recommends a multi-pronged approach.

“This includes increasing investment in labour inspection and enforcement capacity, straightening the collective bargaining and disputes settlement mechanisms, strengthening partnerships with Local Governments and civil society and promoting wider dissemination of labour laws through digital platforms and mass media.”

“ Most importantly, we must cultivate a culture of social dialogue, where compliance is not just a legal requirement, but a shared responsibility for achieving economic growth that is inclusive, just, and sustainable.”

The third deputy prime minister, Lukia Nakadama said the country’s ambitious target of growing the economy ten-fold to USD 500 billion in the next decade requires investment in the country’s labour force.

“ Our technocrats are developing a comprehensive roadmap to this end. If countries in Asia have achieved it, so can Uganda. However, achieving this target requires unlocking millions of decent and productive jobs for our people, grounded in strengthening compliance to employment law, equity, and social protection,” Nakadama said.

“I urge all stakeholders to recognize the critical importance of employment law compliance. It is not merely a legal requirement, it is an enabler of decent work, a driver of inclusive growth, and a safeguard for both employers and employees.”

The two-day third Annual National Labour Convention and Expo runs under the theme, “Strengthening Compliance to Employment Law: A prerequisite for decent jobs, economic empowerment and inclusive growth.”

The two-day third Annual National Labour Convention and Expo runs under the theme, “Strengthening Compliance to Employment Law: A prerequisite for decent jobs, economic empowerment and inclusive growth.”