Chaumtoli Huq
Historically, I became the first female General Secretary of UTGLAWU from 2005. I have worked in the garment industry all my life as a designer/tailor. Because I was an active organizer of workers, immediately I was promoted to an assistant quality supervisor position by management in order to leave my position in Union. However, my position in the union remained. My first day of work was difficult because I only saw problems not work. It felt more of punishment than work.
I was forced to take a course in designing/tailoring by my cousin who paid my school fees. I was from a polygamous family where my dad had two wives, so we were many and my dad could not pay for all of us. My cousin’s wife had no blessing for me to go further with studies; she never wanted me to take a secretarial course which is what I wanted. She fought to bring my future down. This is one of the pull force which is common among women. Nevertheless, little did I know that it was the beginning of my journey to another Promised Land and a blessing in disguise because it made me what I am today as a devoted trade unionist. I love to be called a unionist than anything else. I eventually pursued a Certificate and Diploma in Public Administration in Institute of Advance Leadership (IAL) overcoming my humble background.
I quickly rose up though ranks as a member of the Union, Shopsteward, holding various positions in Union leadership up to federation level as a Treasurer General. I attended various trade union trainings at Tombya Labour college(certificate),ILO-International Training Center-Turin Italy acquiring various certificates in the Trade Union field. Later, I was democratically elected in 2005 for the post of General Secretary winning over two male candidates.
UTGLAWU’s membership is mostly female. Women face many challenges ranging from long hours of work, sexual harassment, lack of maternity leave, lack of compensation, accident, workers safety, low salary and gender inequality. Through advocacy, awareness raising and with support from the global union federation (ITGLWF by then) and with my involvement locally, we managed to mostly change the leadership status quo of the Union from 100% male to 50% female.
As a female organizer, it has not been easy to balance family responsibilities with that of the Union as sometimes it calls for emergency attention to certain situations. My most challenging time is during a 20 year war in Northern Uganda when my mother became a victim of circumstances; while the rebel and Government soldier were exchanging guns, she was hit by stray bullets and died instantly. During that time in 1996, I was attending my first intensive training in Collective Bargaining which lasted one month organized by International Textile Garment Leather Workers Federation (ITGLWF) at Tom Mboya Labour College – Kisumu- Kenya. On coming back, the road was blocked by the rebels and I could not go to pay her respect. It was difficult to move as most people were sleeping in hospital, schools, Gulu town etc. I went after six months months when the situation improved and the road was reopened with government soldier giving us escort to pass through. My mom was buried without a coffin as all homes were abandoned by people.
In Uganda, organizing workers remains a big challenge since most of the industries had been privatized and most of the new investors never wanted to associate with unions in their industries. Union agreements were all ignored and left in the selves. Unions lost almost all its membership, retrenchment, redundancy in all government parastatals including most garment industries was the order of the day to pave way for Structural Adjustment Program (SAP). Ugandan labour laws were obsolete at that time with tight conditions of organizing up to 51% before recognition by employer; which was also not automatic. Organizing required commitment, sacrifice and at times it was life threatening.
Acquiring a recognition agreement with the employer can take one to ten years of struggle with engagement of lawyers by employers of whom majority are more acquainted with civil matters than industrial relations. While some employers engage lawyers, some employers could test me on bribery, promises of better jobs to frustrate the struggle for workers cause. I think this is because I am a woman. For my view, I always think I have a better job. With all this experience, I realized that I am more better off than those lawyers, I started believing in my self, made consultations with those that can guide me as well as taking decisions as the leader of the organization.
I became the General Secretary in 2005 and the Union had 92 members especially after (SAP). Under my leadership we have now grown to 4001 amidst so many challenges despite the unstable garment sector in Uganda.
To acquire recognition was a long struggle that involved petitioning the Global Union Federation – ITGLWF. It was not given on silver plate. This involved threats to remove African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) benefits from Uganda which lead to the first signing of the recognition agreement in 2007 with the three giant garments industries through their association called Textiles Manufacturers Association of Uganda(TEMAU). We also passed amendments to the labour laws and passed it as an act of parliament in Uganda.
The labour laws that we enjoy today is because of the team work and our commitment to unions, although we were small at that time. These were big achievements for the workers of Uganda as the 51% organizing requirement was amended and removed out of the law. It was a new beginning for the Union and labour fraternity in Uganda in general.
Though the living wage is still below poverty level but we managed to rise minimum of 50,000Ugx to 117,000Ugx currently, achieved maternity leave for female workers and paternity leave for male worker, companionate leave (emergency leave with pay), death benefits, terminal benefits/retirement.etc.
In conclusion, as a woman organizer I advise the young women organizers to believe in themselves, have commitment, remove fear, consult, have principle of Trade Union in mind and solidarity. Women organizers can learn fast as long they strategize properly. I realize that workers have power to fight any kind of injustice. However, sometimes, this power is not utilized properly because of fear and ignorance. With all the above challenges and temptation I was exposed to, I remained firm. I have my pride among those who tried to bribe me during the struggle. Now, they are always ashamed when they look at me in negotiation table and probably wonder the type of woman.
