Examining the remuneration practices for high safety risk operations on building construction sites in Uganda.

Abstract

Construction sites are inherently hazardous, and the risk of accidents is particularly high in operations or activities with an increasing rate of unsafe acts by construction workers during construction operations. In Uganda, where the construction industry is growing rapidly, there is a need to examine the remuneration practices for workers engaged in high safety risk operations on building construction sites. The research study therefore examined the relationship between the level of risk in different building operation or activities and the methods of payment of wages for each construction operative. Furthermore, the study prioritized selected construction operations based on their safety risk level and rated the method of payment of wages for each operation based on their frequency of utilization. A site-based survey was conducted using open and closed ended interview that was used to collect information from the contractors and construction workers in Kampala, Uganda. The study identified 10 high-risk level and 4 medium- risk level building construction site operations and or activities. The study also revealed that piece rate wage, time rate wage and negotiated lump sum wage systems where the most preferred wage payment systems in the payment of wages for construction workers. The study then desired for the implementation of fair and adequate remuneration practices for construction workers in the construction industry that prioritize worker safety and comply with the legal and ethical standards.