Workers' Control: the Struggle to Take over Mulco Textile Factory in Uganda
Date
1992-02
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Abstract
Mulco is situated on the banks of the R. Nile inJinja, Uganda. It is the second largest textile mill so far in Uganda, being only second to NYTIL (Nyanza Textile Industries Ltd.). It was built in 1964 with a labour force of 1000 workers but gradually, as production increased the labour force increased to more than 2000 workers in later years. MULCO like many other working places in Uganda has passed through many strikes, factoryumest, riots and sit-downs brought about by breaches of good industrial relations between the workers and the Madhvani family (the owners of MULCO) on the one hand and between the workers/the trade union and the state on the other hand. On 27 October 1988 the workers of MULCO Textile Factory in Jinja assumed control of the factory. This control continued till 17 March 1989, that is for more than four months. This experience was the first in the history of workers' struggles in Uganda. The questions which come to mind therefore are: what factors led to this workers' take over and control of the factory? How could the workers possibly control the factory for such an extended period? What lessons can be drawn from this experience for strengthening worker's struggles for an improved life and for understanding the politico-economic situation in which they live? This paper tries to address these questions. The paper is divided into four sections. Section one deals with the concept of workers' control. Section Two deals with the history of the textile industry generally and the response of the state to workers' struggles in this industry. In this context the history of Labour Relations at MULCO is situated. This history covers the period from the establishment of MULCO in 1964 up to the time of the take over in 1988. Section Three deals with the immediate historical background to the takeover and the take over itself. Section Four constitutes the Conclusion.
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Working Paper NO. 19
List of CBR Working Papers included
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List of CBR Working Papers included
Due to copyright restrictions, this item cannot be shared
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Working Paper
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Keywords
UGANDA--JINJA, TEXTILE INDUSTRY, TRADE UNIONS, LABOUR MOVEMENTS, WORKERS' EDUCATION, WORKER STRUGGLE, LABOUR RELATIONS, WORKER PARTICIPATION, INDUSTRIAL PSYCHOLOGY, COLLECTIVE RESISTANCE, FREEDOM OF ASSEMBLY, FACTORY ORGANIZATION, ACCOUNTABILITY, COLLECTIVE BARGAINING