Regard for workers’ dignity: A remedy to the poor conditions of workers in Wakiso Town, Wakiso District

Abstract

The study was set out to contribute to the management theory and practice by establishing the thesis that regard for workers’ dignity by the tripartite partners (employers, employees and the government) is indispensable for the improvement of the workers’ conditions. Consequently this research sought to avail solution to the plight of workers today. Most salient, it seeks to understand and know how the lack of dignity of workers leads to their poor working conditions. The study was conducted to change the prevailing plight of workers. There was need and desire to advocate for the dignity of workers and also to improve their working conditions. There was a desire to see to it that workers have freedom of expression and association, have reasonable remuneration and allowed to freely participate in other social activities like religious practices, politics and leisure. The study was also motivated toward building a mutual understanding between employers and employees and amongst the workers themselves. A combination of qualitative and quantitative method was applied and data collected via interviews, questionnaires, observation and literatures review. The study relied on both secondary sources and government publications related to economic policy and labour rights. Data were summarized and coded into themes and sub-themes from which conclusions and recommendations were drawn. Among the many peculiar findings included the ignorance of employees, low remuneration, delay of payments, underemployment, violence against employees’ dignity and rights, casualness, lack of freedom of association and poor working relations. All these account for the poor conditions of work. The study concluded that the regard for workers’ dignity is indispensable for the improved working conditions. The study recommended that labour laws and workers’ rights be respected, empower labour courts, pay just remunerations, revival and affiliation of workers’ associations, complying with the ILO standards, consideration of casual workers in the labour laws, and check on the government policies. Finally the study affirmed that through collective responsibility, that the plight of workers can be solved. It is against this well-known fact established in the findings that this study critiques and gives recommendations to the plight of workers in Wakiso Town Council.