UGANDA, Moroto | Real Muloodi News | The $300 million (USh1.1 trillion) Moroto cement factory, in Nanduget, Moroto District, is under scrutiny for allegedly failing to provide basic sanitation and adequate working conditions for its workers.
The Sunbird factory, owned by West International Holdings Limited (a subsidiary of Hong Kong-based China West Cement Limited), is intended to manufacture clinker and was inaugurated by President Museveni on September 13, 2023, with promises of job creation and economic boost for the Karamoja sub-region.
Reports indicate that over 30 Ugandan and Chinese workers at the Moroto cement factory are forced to practice open defecation due to a lack of latrines on-site.
David Amanyire, one of the workers, highlighted the dire conditions, stating, “For one to answer nature’s call, most employees rush behind a mound of soil because there is no latrine on-site, and what has helped is that Nanduget is a sparsely populated area.”
Amanyire added that the workers have repeatedly requested the installation of pit latrines, but their Chinese employers have ignored these pleas.
He also cited other grievances, including low wages, lack of employment contracts, and excessive working hours.
Workers reportedly labour from 7:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. with only a one-hour lunch break. Amanyire, who earns Shs 11,000 per day, struggles to save any money after transportation and food expenses.
“Every morning, I spend Shs6,000 on transport, Shs3,000 to buy food, and save Shs2,000,” Amanyire said. Another worker, Edmond Egwenyu, echoed these sentiments, stating that even if he works the entire month, his earnings are insufficient to cover basic living expenses, leaving him with nothing to save.
Safety concerns have also been raised at the Moroto cement factory. Emmanuel Opio, another worker, reported that Ugandan workers lack essential protective gear, such as boots, helmets, and overalls, while their Chinese counterparts are fully equipped.
“Whereas the Chinese have full protective gear, none of us (Ugandans) have boots, helmets, and overalls; majority of us are working barefooted,” Opio said. He added that the few Ugandan workers who have helmets use old ones discarded by the Chinese workers.
These issues were brought to light during an unannounced visit by officials from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development.
Led by Commissioner of Mines, Agnes Alaba, and Commandant of Mineral Police, Julius Tusingwire, the officials discovered that workers lacked contracts and were underpaid.
A Chinese representative, through an interpreter, justified the low wages by stating that the workers were temporary employees and attributed the absence of toilets to the remote location.
The lack of safety gear was explained as a result of a delayed shipment from China.
Commissioner Alaba urged the investors to improve working conditions by providing fair wages, food, and proper safety equipment for Ugandan workers.
John Baptist Loki, Member of Parliament for Matheniko County in Moroto District, condemned the exploitation of Ugandan workers and called for accountability.
“The exploitation of Ugandan workers is unacceptable, and such companies should be held accountable,” Loki said.
In contrast, the Minister for Karamoja Affairs, Peter Lokeris, advised caution in dealing with investors. He warned that stringent measures might prompt investors to relocate to neighbouring Kenya, where similar mineral resources are available.
“The investors should be given favorable conditions, or else they might shift to Kenya because this marble rock mineral is an extension that stretches across the two borders,” Lokeris said.
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