National dialogue in Uganda discusses decent work in the platform economy

Kampala, Uganda (ILO News) - The National Organisation of Trade Unions (NOTU), with support from the International Labour Organization (ILO) through the PROSPECTS programme, convened a national dialogue on platform work on 14 May 2026 in Kampala. The meeting brought together trade union representatives, platform workers, platform service providers, academics, researchers, officials from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), government officials, social partners and regional experts.

The dialogue focused on decent work challenges and opportunities in Uganda's platform economy and provided an opportunity for stakeholders to exchange views and experiences in the context of ongoing discussions at the 114th Session of the International Labour Conference.

"The ILO's support to this dialogue is grounded in its mandate to promote decent work and social justice for all workers, including those in new and emerging forms of work."

Explaining the importance of the event, Khamati Mugalla, Director, ILO Country Office - Dar es Salaam, said: "The ILO's support to this dialogue is grounded in its mandate to promote decent work and social justice for all workers, including those in new and emerging forms of work. Through PROSPECTS, we are working with constituents to strengthen social dialogue, extend labour rights awareness and social protection, and ensure that refugees, host communities and other workers can participate in inclusive labour markets under fair and safe conditions."

Platform work has created new income opportunities and opened markets for businesses and workers. However, participants noted that it also raises important decent work concerns, including unclear employment relationships, limited access to social protection, occupational safety and health risks, opaque payment systems, and barriers to freedom of association and collective bargaining.

The dialogue included technical briefings from the ILO and the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, case studies from platform workers and service providers, and experience-sharing from the Kenya Union of Gig Workers. Participants also reviewed the ILO standard-setting process on decent work in the platform economy and discussed Uganda's draft national framework on the formalization and protection of platform workers.

"Innovation must not come at the expense of workers' rights. As platform work expands in Uganda, we must ensure that all workers, regardless of their employment status, are protected by the fundamental principles and rights at work," said Richard Bigirwa, NOTU Secretary General. He also observed that, "As platform work shapes the labour market, it is exposing a number of compliance and enforcement challenges for different labour administration institutions in Uganda, which calls for capacity building and re-alignment to better serve workers in the world of work."

A key outcome of the dialogue was the strengthening of workers' engagement and representation in discussions on platform work. Participants exchanged views on decent work priorities, shared experiences from different sectors and explored ways to support continued social dialogue among government, employers' and workers' organizations, platform workers and other stakeholders.

The outcomes of the dialogue were presented to the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development and to Uganda's National Tripartite Delegation to the 114th Session of the International Labour Conference on 19 May 2026 at the Ministry of Labour's Boardroom in Kampala. The presentation contributed to stakeholder engagement and national-level discussions on decent work in the platform economy.

"Through social dialogue, we can build a shared understanding of these changes and shape policies that promote decent work, protect workers and support responsible business growth," said Mr. Apollo Onzoma, Assistant Commissioner, Labour Industrial Relations and Productivity, Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development. "The national dialogue is very timely, as it provides an opportunity to generate consensus on emerging issues within platform work and a balanced approach that ensures decent work," he added.

"As the digital labour market continues to evolve, it should not erode fundamental principles and rights at work. It is on this basis that we must work together through strong collaboration and social dialogue to ensure decent work in platform work," noted Ms. Vanessa Bitature Ngabo, Legal Officer, Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development.

Participants identified several priorities for follow-up action, including further research on platform work in Uganda, continued tripartite dialogue, alignment of national labour and employment laws with emerging forms of work, and stronger organizing strategies for both online and location-based platform workers.

"The dialogue also contributed to wider PROSPECTS-supported efforts to strengthen workers' organizations and inclusive labour markets, including discussions on the integration of refugees into NOTU's Gender and Inclusion Policy, Youth Policy, and Climate Change and Just Transition Charter and Policy," said Evans Lwanga, Chief Technical Advisor, ILO PROSPECTS, Uganda.

As part of the way forward, participants agreed to continue strengthening the capacity of trade union affiliates on platform work, social dialogue and dispute resolution. They also highlighted the importance of supporting workers and stakeholders to access voluntary social security savings through the National Social Security Fund.

The initiative supports efforts to promote an inclusive platform economy through social dialogue, stakeholder engagement and decent work principles.