Kampala — The Chinese Business Community in Uganda can now comfortably operate their businesses in Uganda. This comes after Federation of Uganda Employers (FUE), with financial support from the Confederation of Norwegian Enterprises translated the Uganda labour laws into Chinese to cut the language barrier problem.

The majority of the Chinese businessmen who come to Uganda hardly speak English and those who know only speak the basics, yet Uganda's labour laws were drawn in English, the official language used in Uganda.

"We were asked by the Chinese community doing business in Uganda to translate the labour laws. This was after we signed an agreement of cooperation in Beijing in 2007," said the FUE Media Relations officer Mr Shafik Manafa at the workshop where FUE met with the Chinese Business Community at Protea Hotel in Kampala.

Mr Manafa added that after the translation of the laws, the need for training arose and a one-day sensitisation meeting was held on July 24. He said more training would be carried out in the course of the year.

The Chairman FUE, Mr Martin Kasekende cautioned the Chinese business community to get acquainted with Uganda's labour laws so as to take on their obligations as employers.

China is one of Uganda's leading sources of Foreign Direct Investment countries. It is involved in agro-processing, energy, tourism, manufacturing and trade.

"As employers you are supposed to comply with the labour laws of Uganda. Your compliance with the requirements of the law ensures industrial harmony at the workplaces, improvement of labour productivity and better business performance," Mr Kasekende said.

Chinese investment projects in Uganda have helped to reduce unemployment, something that has seen an improved lifestyle of the people.

Giving his keynote address, Mr Kasekende said; "The guidelines in the translated copy of the law were outlined in simple terms, the employers' obligations towards workers in their employment and are expected to guide you in implementation of the laws."