East African Gazette
Kampala
The Overseas returnees who served the US government to boost the US government forces in Somalia, Iraq and Afghanistan have started the verification exercise regarding under pay.
The returnees want matters solved by presenting a petition to the US congress, to make sure they are paid all the monies they worked for and to be accorded like those people who served World wars.
President of the Overseas Returnees Association, John Kwizera said Ugandans who took part in the peace mission as foreign national security specialists hired by the US government should attend the verification exercise and sign a petition to be presented to the US congress.
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Kwezera said “Our letters of Authorization referred to us as foreign national security specialists hired by the US government but later the documents were changed and they were referred to as security guards”.
Kwizera told members who have been grouped in five regions that the verification exercise will last for 30 days during a general meeting held in Kampala at the Christ the King hall on Sunday.
In 2003 during the war in Iraq President Yoweri Museveni and President George Bush of the US government during the war to remove the President of Iraq Saddam Hussein from power sought Uganda
The returnees accuse the US government for abuse of worker’s rights and demand for recovery of salaries of the US government salary scale, the GS-12 and GS-13 payable to foreign security specialists who serve in Iraq, Somalia and Afghanistan.
Kwizera said in their letters of authorization from the US Department of Defense clearly spelt out their remuneration and terms of reference benefits but along the way things changed.
During the duration of work over years, he would have expected a pay rise since they developed more experience than before but instead their pay continued to reduce until their contracts ended.
He said members coming for verification should note that it will be for 30 days and they should come with relevant documents to prove their service.
He said “Many of the members completed their contracts and renewed them still though they had letters of authorization this was not reflected on their pay. We need just to be made because at the time recruitment we spelt out clearly were professionals”.
“We want the US government to make it a practice to appreciate all who have gone to serve under their leadership. He said after the verification, they want the US government to acknowledge their role in the peace mission in Iraq” he added.
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In the verification exercise the relatives of the fallen heroes will be handled as long as they present the documentation of service no matter which part of the country you belong to.
He informed the members that after going through the verification exercise, they will be trained by Uganda Red Cross so they can be able to give back to the community by playing emergency roles whenever they happen.
Director External Relation ORA Dr.Gideon Tusigye appealed to the members to remain united in order to win the war of under pay saying their success will benefit even those still serving under the same arrangement.
Dr Tusigye said they should not be diverted by other groups of people. He disclosed that though he had a patient to look after he chose to attend the meeting because of its importance. He cautioned members to be aware of the mafia who may divert the mind.
He alluded to the established ways to remain as a group and should remain united. He revealed that he got to know of the issue of under payment in 2010 through one of their leaders.
He explained that they will pay once their matter is presented to the Congress because it is not aware of this matter.
Chief External Labour Power House Usher Owere told the ORA members that he has contributed to the issues pertaining labour of the worker in the country.
“I want people who go out to work to be paid what they have signed for according to the contracts made. And during the verification exercise ensure you present the letters of your contracts and any relevant documents” Owere said.
Owere said he is going to work with relevant authority to ensure the work benefits the worker.