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East African nations urged to stamp out corruption

Xinhua, November 17, 2016 Adjust font size:

East African countries have been urged to collectively stamp out corruption which has been a major setback in realizing the envisioned regional integration within the East African Community (EAC).

Employers from across EAC member countries made the call here on Wednesday soon after launching the EAC guideline on industrial relations.

Almas Maige, chairperson of the Association of Tanzania Employers (ATE) said that corruption in the region is still persistent, hence contributes towards scaring away potential investors in the region.

"It remains to be a big problem among partner states and we need to understand that corrupt officials will prevent the progress of integration," Maige said.

"This can only be achieved if we come up with clear and implementable labor laws and it is also important to resolve labor disputes in the region," Maige said.

The 2015 Corruption Perception Index released in January this year by the Transparency International ranked Kenya at position 139 out of 168 countries having scored 25 points, while Rwanda and Tanzania scored 54 and 30 points respectively.

Burundi came last in the region with a score of 21 points while the best performing countries in the world remain the Nordic countries led by Denmark with an index of 91.

Rosemary Ssenabulya, chairperson of East African Employers Association (EAEO) also stressed the need of employers and social partners within the EAC to guide investors and employers on how to do responsible business.

"Unfortunately, little has been done in terms of guiding investors on how to invest in EAC, deal with local workers and abide with the national laws of partner states," she observed.

Ssenabulya was however optimistic that the developed guideline on industrial relations will provide employers with the basic understanding of the industrial situation in the region.

According to EAEO, the guidelines on industrial relations will help employers in East Africa to build harmonious working relations at their workplaces. Endit