CLEAR Supply Chains Project Promotes Safer Workplaces In Uganda's Coffee Sector Through WIND Training

In September 2025, the International Labour Organization (ILO) conducted a Workplace Improvement in Neighbourhood Development (WIND) training of trainers in Uganda, as part of the CLEAR Supply Chains project, which aims to eliminate child labour in supply chains.

The training brought together 56 participants from private coffee companies, district local governments, ministries, and implementing partners. This included 17 agronomists from Child Labour Platform (CLP) members such as Volcafe (Kyagalanyi), NKG (Ibero), and Ofi/Olam; 28 local government officials from six districts; four officials from the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development and the Ministry of Agriculture; and seven participants from coffee cooperatives and other partners.

The WIND training is based on the ILO's Participatory Action-Oriented Training (PAOT) approach and is designed to equip agricultural workers and farmers with the knowledge and skills necessary to create safer working environments. Using practical tools such as the WIND action checklist, local good practices, and illustrations to help participants comply with occupational safety and health (OSH) standards. By emphasising participatory methods, WIND ensures that solutions are localised, relevant, culturally appropriate and easy to implement.

Participants gained hands-on skills to identify OSH risks and develop low-cost, locally driven solutions for both coffee farms and processing facilities. The training focused on five key areas: material handling and storage; workstations and tools; safe use of agricultural and electrical equipment; work environment and hazardous agents; and welfare facilities, gender-based violence, and community cooperation. Through field visits, group exercises, and participatory discussions, participants saw first-hand how the WIND methodology can enhance productivity while reducing risks.

WIND training has opened my eyes to practical ways we can make our farms safer without huge investments. The action checklist is something I can use with farmers straight away, and it helps us find solutions together.

Participant to WIND training.

At the close of the training, participants developed action plans at both individual and institutional levels, committing to rollout workplace improvement initiatives within households, among coffee farmers, and at processing facilities in their communities. The ILO will support follow-up by sharing refined training materials and the action checklist, while participants will report back on improvements achieved during the rollout phase.