By Jimmy Twist
Kampala
Uganda women’s Parliamentary women Association (UWOPA) together with Platform for Labour Action has asked president Museveni to speedily sign on the Employment Amendment Act 2019 which will force all places of work to create venues for breastfeeding rooms for working mothers.
Among other issues, the Bill aims at providing for the protection of working breastfeeding mothers; to require employers to put in place policies and facilities for breastfeeding mothers; to prohibit employment of persons as casual employees for more than three months with the same employer and to provide for discussion of casual employment.
Lydia Bwite – program officer Platform for labour Action says women will be given ample time to breastfeed their children at places of work.
Lugazi Municipality MP Isaac Mulindwa says this Act will also protect casual, domestic, and immigrant workers who have been marginalized in the last 15 years because of the old employment act 2006.
Amoru district woman MP also Secretary-General (UWOPA) Lucy Akello says she is still advocating for an amendment to increase paternity leave for men from three days to at least 15 days so that they can also take care of the baby at the time of delivery.
Chairperson-Domestic Workers Association (DWA) Hanifa Katwesigye has expressed joy for the enactment of the Employment Act 2019 because it will give the domestic workers a platform to fight for their rights.
