Rwenkunye-Apac road workers strike over pay

Workers upgrading the Rwenkunye- Apac road on Monday laid down their tools over delayed salaries and poor working conditions. 

The workers at Sadeem Al-Kuwait General Trading and Contracting Company, a firm undertaking the project, are also complaining of low pay and alleged harassment by their bosses.

Some causal labourers and skilled workers camped at Sadeem Al-Kuwait field office in Ibuje Sub-county, Apac District and locked the main gate.

The protesters blocked people from coming out or gaining access to the premises.

The skilled workers allege that they are paid a flat rate salary with unskilled labourers.

Mr Bonny Ayo, a worker, said they have not yet received the payment for March and landlords have locked most of them out of the houses over unpaid rent.

“We were told that we would be paid before Easter and later they said Monday but they kept tossing us up and down yet we need the money to feed, pay rent and sort out other issues,” he said.

Ms Debora Among, another worker, alleged that she had been told to work as a housemaid at the home of one of the bosses yet she was recruited as a cleaner.

Mr Aaron Olabo said he was recruited as a surveyor but he is being paid as a casual worker.

“I am a trained surveyor but these people are paying me the same amount as casual labourers and up to now we have not yet signed the contract agreement,” he said.

The workers are paid between Shs4,500 and Shs6,000 per day, which they say is too little compared to the cost of living.

The protest was later quelled by a team of police officers from Apac Central Police Station under the command of Mr Steven Baingana, the officer-in-charge of operations.

The police rushed to the scene and calmed the aggrieved workers and their leaders.  A closed-door meeting was later held between the top leaders of the company and some of the workers.

According to a source, who attended the meeting but preferred not to be named, said they agreed that the salary for March be paid on that day (Monday) while other issues can be addressed as soon as possible.

Management responds

Mr Ibrahim Essameldien, the project manager, yesterday said the aggrieved staff were later paid their salaries and he was expecting them to resume work.

“We were delayed due to the poor network in the bank,” Mr Essameldien said.

Mr Emma Ngabiriano, the Apac Resident District Commissioner, pledged to make a follow-up on the matter. 

“I will make sure the rights of our people are respected,” he said yesterday.