Collective Bargaining In Uganda’s Coffee Supply Chain – CoffeeTalk

The CLEAR Supply Chains project aims to strengthen the voice of coffee farmers, workers, and employers in Uganda’s coffee supply chain by training them on collective bargaining. The project began a consultation process in September 2023 to assess the level of freedom of association and collective bargaining in Uganda’s coffee supply chain. It was noted that few coffee farmers and workers are members of trade unions, and while there are CBAs in place, they often do not include clauses that address child labour, non-discrimination, and occupational safety and health.

The ILO developed a capacity building programme for Uganda’s employers and workers’ organizations to improve social dialogue and promote an integrated approach that incorporates all five fundamental principles and rights at work in the coffee supply chain. The training kicked off with a training session in May 2024 in Entebbe, where representatives from the National Organization of Trade Unions (NOTU), the Central Organization of Free Trade Unions (COFTU), and the Federation of Ugandan Employers (FUE) and their affiliates were trained.

The training focused on identifying common interests and best practices for collective bargaining with workers, preparing CBA negotiations, and actually negotiating. Practical examples of CBAs that include specific clauses on child labor, non-discrimination, and occupational health and safety were shared, and the training ended with a mock CBA negotiation. The worker representatives developed an action plan aimed at strengthening the organization of all categories of workers and expanding collective bargaining coverage to all workers in Uganda’s coffee supply chain.

The capacity building training was well-received by all participants, encouraging them to engage in collective bargaining agreements and develop strategies to improve the collective voice of seasonal workers. However, follow-up training is required to further develop skills for organization of workers and membership, especially for workers in the informal economy, map stakeholders and leverage international stakeholders, and address labor rights protection gaps in Uganda’s legal and regulatory framework.

With the upcoming European Union’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive covering explicitly all five fundamental principles and rights at work, there is an opportunity for both employers and workers’ organizations to strengthen their organizations and promote decent work and prevent child labour in Uganda’s coffee value chain through the expansion of collective bargaining.

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