Let Kasaija Withdraw the Letter He Wrote to President about Workers’ 20% NSSF Bill- NOTU

The Umbrella that govern all the Workers’ Unions, National Organization of Traders Union asked President Museveni not to take the advise given to him by Finance Minister, Hon. Matia Kasaija about the NSSF bill.

The Parliament of Uganda approved a bill to let Workers get at least 20% of their savings with National Social Security Fund when they reach 45 years and above. The bill was only waiting President’s signature to start working.

But it is alleged that Hon. Minister, for Finance Matia Kasaija wrote to President advising him not to approve the bill because the country doesn’t have that Money.

Basing on that background, National Organization of Traders Union leaders came out via press briefing held on Monday at their home in Ntinda- Kampala to cite out their dissatisfaction with Minister’s way of doing work, they demanded him to withdraw the letter he wrote to President.

“This is a second bill concerning workers, going through parliament but some with authority at levels of Minister, go ahead to advise President not to sign these bills. We all remember the law about the minimum wages bill, it was passed by Parliament, but by the then Minister for Labour and Gender, Janet Mukwaya, wrote to President not to sign that bill and until now the law is not there.” Bigirimana Emmanuel, General Secretary, Uganda Civil Society said before adding.

“In the same way, when it came to amendments made in the NSSF act, Kasija wrote to President not to sign the law, it’s like they want to open a war between Workers and the president and yet we have been moving together.”

Chairman General, NOTU, Owere Usher Wilson said that Minister should withdraw the letter he wrote to the president even without consulting the leaders of workers Unions.

“The minister should withdraw that letter, and if possible we want to have a meeting with the president to tell him the importance of giving thus 20% to workers who reach 45+ years.

We are going to continue meeting the trade Unions to discuss about this issue, because you can’t say that NSSF doesn’t have money and yet at least a billion is saved in NSSF.” Owere said.

The NOTU says that the 18000 people need only 500 billions.

NSSF has two million people who save with them.