deal: Barasa (left) exchange documents with Schrier

By Francis Emorut

OVER 8,000 flower workers have gained bargaining power for their entitlements following the signing of a collective bargaining agreement with 20 flower firms.

The agreement, signed on Wednesday between Uganda Flower Exporters Association and the Uganda Horticultural and Allied Workers’ Union, is aimed at maintaining good and harmonious working relations in the industry.

“The agreement has put in place better arrangement for improvement of working conditions, salaries, wages and other benefits,” Stephen Barasa, the secretary general of the Uganda Horticultural and Allied Workers,” said.

Barasa said methods of settling grievances among the workers would be reached peacefully.

Jacques Schrier, the chairman of the Uganda Flower Exporters Association, assured flower workers that flower firms would implement the agreement.

Schrier said the association considers workers as an asset in the flower industry.