Following allegations by workers in Uganda that some employers are marginalizing them and infringing on their employment rights, the government is set to get free legal aid aimed at protecting and promoting workers rights. The legal aid, as gathered by CEOAFRICA.com, shall be provided by Platform for Labour Action (PLA).

Speaking during the training session organized for human rights advocates held at St. John Baptist Primary School in Kampala, Diana Prida, the legal officer at PLA said the project entitled "legal action for vulnerable and marginalised workers" seeks to enhance access to justice for the vulnerable and marginalised workers.

According to her, "We should stand firm to defend the rights of these workers in the courts of law in an alternative justice process.”

This free legal aid, according to her, will start in Iganga, Bugiri, Kaliro, Lira, Amolatar, Dokolo and Kampala.

The key target groups under this project are the vulnerable and marginalised employees living in abject poverty mainly in urban poor informal settlements. Also included are children in exploitative forms of work, informal sector workers, women, youth and low income earners.

Meanwhile, Expedit Khaaya, a lecturer at Law Development Centre said there is need to sensitise workers and encourage them seek legal redress.

Khaaya noted how unfortunate it is for workers to run elsewhere yet labour officers exist to handle issues affecting workers.

He explained that "there is need to strengthen the provision of legal aid services and access to justice by poor and marginalised workers."