By Jumah Kakomo
The Ugandan government is calling on its citizens seeking employment abroad to prioritize countries with formal bilateral agreements to safeguard their rights and well-being. This plea comes ahead of a regional ministerial forum for migrant workers scheduled for February 13th-14th, organized by the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development, to discuss strategies for improving labor migration policies and protections.
State Minister for Labour, Employment, and Industrial Relations, Esther Davinia Anyakun, expressed concerns over the growing number of young Ugandans seeking employment in Arab nations without formal labor agreements with Uganda. She noted that this gap in formal agreements leaves the government unable to track workers effectively or offer assistance in times of crisis.
To address these concerns, Uganda has signed bilateral labor agreements with select Arab countries, such as Saudi Arabia, to ensure the protection of migrant workers. These agreements aim to formalize labor migration, guarantee fair treatment, and create cooperative frameworks between the countries involved.
Minister Anyakun also warned Ugandan migrant workers, particularly those heading to the Middle East, to exercise extreme caution regarding substances they carry, emphasizing the risks of being unknowingly recruited by traffickers. Increasing reports of Ugandans arrested or detained for carrying illegal drugs have highlighted the dangers of falling prey to such schemes. Anyakun cautioned that traffickers often promise lucrative rewards but ultimately expose victims to severe penalties, including imprisonment and death.
The minister called on Ugandans to be vigilant, particularly when dealing with strangers offering suspicious opportunities. “The Ministry of Labour, Gender and Social Development has been working tirelessly to educate Ugandans about the dangers of carrying illegal substances and the importance of staying alert when traveling abroad,” Anyakun stated.
Furthermore, Anyakun outlined the government’s efforts to improve working conditions for Ugandans abroad, including a master plan to ensure that all workers, particularly those in the Middle East, have access to insurance as a step toward better protection and welfare.
