MAKERERE UNIVERSITY

BUSINESS SCHOOL

BACHELOR OF BUSINESS ADMINSTRATION

PRINCIPLES OF HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
COURSE WORK TWO

NAMES REGISTRATION NO. SIGNATURE

AKITE LOICE 17/U/11541/PS
KAGGWA REMUS FLAVIAN 17/U/12893/EVE
SSENDIWA PIUS 18/U/36073/PS
AYIKOLU WINNIE 17/U/12154/PS
MUGERWA BARBRA 17/U/14339/PS

With evidence from the case, discuss the industrial relations issues that have been highlighted
clearly showing how they affect the employment relation.
Strikes.
The health workers under an umbrella body Uganda medical workers association declared a
nationwide industrial action. This was due to government’s failure to honour their welfare and
improve working conditions. In relation to the above case, strikes were illegal because they
followed an illegal procedure in organizing it under the labour union Act. Also, the body under
which they organized their strike (Uganda Medical Workers Association) was not a legally
recognized body for negotiating on behalf of health workers and government.
Strikes affect the employment relationship in a way that the feelings of hostility resulting from
the strike can severely damage teamwork, productivity and profitability.

Breach of laws.
There were issues concerning the laws governing industrial action. Uganda Medical Workers
Association was faulted by government for usurping the powers of the labour Unions to initiate
an “illegal” strike without following laws that govern industrial actions among civil servants in
the public service.
Basing on the above case, the laws governing industrial relations include labour union Act. This
allows workers to bargain collectively through their representatives. A person who acts against
the provision of this act commits an offence and is liable to a fine of 24 currency points or
imprisonment up to one year or both. Therefore UMA was acting in breach of labour Union act
since it was not a registered trade union to enjoy the rights and privileges provided under the
labour union act.

Government interventions.
The government plays an important role in regulating the relations between employees and
employers. Government is required to intervene and provide good working conditions for
public workers so as to avoid industrial actions. It is for this reason that UMA spear headed the
industrial action following government’s failure to honor health workers welfare and improve
working conditions. This affects employment relations as it causes tension among the
employees and employers and less productivity as workers lay down their tools.
In relating to the above, government also intervenes to restore industrial peace at the
workplace by putting in place different measures for example government ordered all striking
health workers to resume work immediately or get sacked. President Yoweri Museveni also
ordered for the supervision of health centers and hospitals and take note of absentee health
workers.

Insecurity.
 The insecurity surrounding industrial action raised concern among health workers and it is for
this reason that some of them feared to return to work. This prompted the government to
provide adequate protection to all health workers who resume duty. Insecurity makes work
environment uncondusive leading to absenteeism among employees thus affecting the
employment relations.

Negotiation rights.
Issues regarding the right licensed bodies to represent health workers rose. Trade unions
specifically Uganda Medical Workers Union was the legal negotiating body for health workers
and this is why it accused doctor Ebuku of having no mandate to call the health workers strike.
This union also wanted all negotiations between government, the Uganda Medical Association
and Dr. Ebuku be declared as null and void and instead ordered government hold negotiations
with the mandated bodies.
In relation to the above, negotiating rights are clearly outlined in the Negotiating, Consultative
and Disputes Settlement Machinery Act of 2008 which facilitates consultations, dialogues and
negotiations between the government as an employer and public service labour unions to
establish a public service tribunal to arbitrate labour disputes and secure harmonious labour
relations in the public service and to provide for other related issues.
The right of negotiations of labour unions therefore enables employees to air out their
concerns and dissatisfaction which helps to influence management decisions so as to
accommodate employee concerns while achieving Organisation objectives.