Gulu district labour officer, Christine Akumu Okot has revealed that her office has recorded over 60 labour related cases, most of them against Chinese construction companies, since January this year.
In a recent interview, Akumu said the cases that are reported in her office involve serious bodily injuries and death of workers but with the organizations and companies employing them always not taking responsibility until dragged to court.
Akumu said of the people who have reported their cases to her office, three lost their eyes at a quarry side for the road construction company China Communications Construction Company (UCCC).
Akumu said eight other complainants are demanding for compensation for damages caused on them during work.
The Gulu labour officer said construction workers at Chinese road construction companies are not providing their casual labourers protective gear.
She commended CHICO, a Chinese company based in Ongako constructing the Gulu- Olwiyo road which according to the labour officer insured its workers as a measure to guard against accidents.
Speaking during the Labour Day celebrations, Gulu Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Lt Okot Santos Lapolo said he will pick keen interest in the treatment of labourers by Chinese companies working on roads in Gulu.
Uganda is estimated to have a labor force of 9,257,000 Ugandans, majority of whose rights are not fully protected.
