According to the report, which examines key industries in various global economies, including Uganda, workers in key industries such as health and security continue to earn the lowest wages even after a long period of time. This is true even though the industry is important, especially during emergency episodes like the Covid-19 pandemic.
The ILO reports that some workers in the sector experience inhumane working conditions, including long hours and delayed pay.
The ILO notes that in order to increase the productivity and satisfaction of the workforce, it is necessary to improve the wages and working conditions of these workers.
According to the UN agency, key workers in health, food production, and delivery systems, retail, security, technical and clerical, cleaning and sanitation, transportation, and the manual sector make up more than 52% of the global workforce.
According to the report, among the 90 countries sampled, Kenya has the highest percentage of underpaid key workers – 50% – while Portugal has the lowest – 5%. With 44 percent of key workers receiving inadequate wages, Uganda ranks fourth.
The main value of workers to society, as revealed by Covid-19, must be reflected in wages and working conditions, according to Mr. Gilbert Houngbo, director general of the ILO.
“Respecting key workers means ensuring that they receive adequate wages and work in good conditions. Decent work is a goal for all workers, but it is especially important for key workers, who provide essential needs and services in good times and bad,” said.
In addition, Mr. Charles Bakkabulindi, Member of Parliament for Workers, previously argued that legislation establishing a minimum wage is necessary to solve the problem of low wages on a global scale.
“The problem of low wages is big because they don’t have a minimum wage. There needs to be a standardization of sector-based payments, which will create a minimum wage for domestic workers, domestic workers, domestic workers, industries, and farms. he commented.