Tembo FM
Casual workers threaten to resign over poor working conditions
28 March 2025, 6:32 pm
By Otim Moses
Casual workers at Kitgum Main Market have threatened to resign on 1st April 2025 due to poor working conditions that put their lives at risk and low pay.
According to a letter dated March 27th, 2025, a copy Tembo FM has obtained, the casual workers contend that they submitted several requests to the market master for equipment such as wheelbarrows and gumboots, among others, but all these have not been provided to date.
Casual workers requested in the letter a response concerning the market master’s failure to address their grievances, given that they deal with human and other wastes using only their bare hands.
The casual workers also claimed that they earn UGX 100,000 per month and that the market master is mistreating them, despite their small number of just four. Additionally, the casual workers demand payment for their two months’ salary, as well as four and a half months’ pay, before leaving their jobs on April 1, 2025.
The letter was signed by all four casual workers, including Mr. Toolit Robin, Ms. Akongo Christine, Ms. Acan Evaline, Ms. Oyella Betty, and Ms. Laker Christine. They appeal to the Kitgum municipal Town Clerk to intervene and improve their poor working conditions to avoid contracting chronic diseases in the market.
When contacted for a comment on the matter, Mr. Odur Jimmy Adriano, the market master revealed that they have already procured wheelbarrows, and gumboots among other equipment that will be handed over to the casual workers. He however noted that other grievances will be handled administratively so that work continues normally.