The BWI-affiliated Uganda Building Construction Civil Engineering Cement and Allied Workers’ Union (UBCCECAWU), also known as the “Union,” on 16 March 2026, successfully signed a recognition agreement with ZHONGMEI Engineering Group Limited (Zhongmei), the contractor of the Koboko-Yumbe-Moyo Road Project in Uganda.

This significant breakthrough was the result of BWI and the Union's collaborative work with the World Bank (WB). Before this, the Union had on several occasions tried, but failed to seek recognition from the contractor. The deadlock was eventually broken after the matter was referred to the Ministry of Labour, Gender and Social Development, followed by the strategic interventions involving the WB and other stakeholders, including the Ministry of Public Works.

According to a case study filed by the Union, grave labour rights violations had been documented on site, including workers being forced to work for excessive hours, sexual harassment of female workers, unfair terminations, and sub-minimum wages.

The signing of the recognition agreement is a vital step toward ensuring decent and better working conditions. It establishes a framework to hold the contractor accountable to both national labour laws and International Core Labour Standards (ICLS) for the more than 246 unionised members.

BWI and its affiliates remain committed to ensuring fair labour practices and respect for ICLS in projects funded by International Financial Institutions (IFIs).

BWI has previously documented and denounced Zhongmei's "pattern of abuse" in countries such as Ghana, where workers faced a lack of contracts and protective gear, and Namibia, where the company was ordered to halt operations following a fatal accident and serious safety violations in 2024. Furthermore, prior rulings in Kenya regarding unlawful dismissals and the denial of benefits highlight a persistent disregard for worker welfare. The success of this case, achieved through close monitoring and a partnership with the WB, paves the way for negotiating a collective bargaining agreement that will include robust protection of workers’ rights, improved welfare, better working conditions, and stringent occupational health and safety protocols.