Kenya and Uganda ILO CAPSA Partners Exchange Meetings on Shared Commitment to Eradicate Labour Exploitation

CAPSA Project: Strengthening Efforts to Combat Labour Exploitation

The CAPSA project, a joint initiative between the ILO and the governments of Kenya and Uganda, is committed to building capacity to effectively combat child labour, forced labour, and workplace violations. This aims to enforce existing laws, improve assistance services for victims, and foster better coordination between policymakers, law enforcement agencies, and social protection entities at regional, national, and sub-national levels.

Key Partnerships and Contributions

In Uganda, pivotal partners including the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development, Federation of Uganda Employers, and National Organization of Trade Unions Uganda, among others, have collaborated closely to implement CAPSA-supported initiatives effectively. Similarly, representatives from Kenya, including the Ministry of Labour & Social Development, Federation of Kenya Employers, and Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU Kenya), actively contributed to enriching discussions, bringing their wealth of experience to the table.

Exchange of Best Practices and Strategies

The meeting facilitated the exchange of best practices, lessons learned, and successful strategies in the fight against child labour and forced labour. By fostering cross-border collaboration, the partners aim to create a robust framework for addressing critical issues related to labour exploitation and violations of acceptable working conditions.

ILO CAPSA’s implementing partner Elimination of Child Labour (ECLA - Uganda) was represented by Mr. Eddie Wambewo. During the exchange sessions, he noted that through CAPSA’s support, over 40 children were rescued from child labour. ECLA Uganda. These children were incorporated through the already existing frameworks like the Village Savings and Loans Association (VSLAs) and they are now back in school. This particular model in Uganda was noted as one of the sustainable ways of ensuring that the impact of the ILO CAPSA project is sustainable.

© ILO

© ILO

Shared Commitment to Eradicate Labour Exploitation

Ms. Grace Banya, Project Manager, emphasized the collaboration between Kenya and Uganda as a testament to the shared commitment of both nations to eradicate child labour, forced labour, and human trafficking. The insights gained from this collaborative effort are expected to strengthen the implementation of CAPSA projects, contributing to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals 8, target 7, and creating a more equitable labour environment in both countries.

The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment to accelerate action against labour exploitation, with a collective goal of ending child labour in all its forms by 2025.