Know Your Rights 21: The right to work

The Ugandan Bill of Rights, Chapter 4 of the Constitution of Uganda, details the rights of all Ugandan citizens. Whether you are a person with a disability (PWD) or not, all these rights are yours.

Article 40 of the Constitution of Uganda says that you have the right to work in safe and healthy conditions. You also have the right to have rest, leisure and reasonable working hours, holidays and pay.

If you are a PWD this right means that you are entitled to the same pay as any other person. It also means that the place where you work should be accessible. There should be ramps and lifts instead of stairs, sign language interpreters and documents should be available in braille. It is illegal for your employer to discriminate against you.

Work is about what you can do, not what you can't do.

Article 40 of the Constitution of Uganda is written like this:

40. Economic rights. 

(1) Parliament shall enact laws—

(a) to provide for the right of persons to work under satisfactory, safe and healthy conditions;

(b) to ensure equal payment for equal work without discrimination; and

(c) to ensure that every worker is accorded rest and reasonable working hours and periods of holidays with pay, as well as remuneration for public holidays.

(2) Every person in Uganda has the right to practise his or her profession and to carry on any lawful occupation, trade or business.

(3) Every worker has a right—

(a) to form or join a trade union of his or her choice for the promotion and protection of his or her economic and social interests;

(b) to collective bargaining and representation; and

(c) to withdraw his or her labour according to law.

(4) The employer of every woman worker shall accord her protection during pregnancy and after birth, in accordance with the law.