Labour agencies should operate under dignity principles rather than profit-driven motives, requiring specific regulatory oversight as a special category.
Uganda's Labour Migration Landscape
Uganda's unemployment crisis has driven 70% of the workforce into the informal sector, pushing migration to Middle Eastern and African nations. Uganda banned domestic worker emigration in 2016 due to several contraventions on the rights to decent work for migrant workers.
Key Statistics
- Over 13,107 Ugandans work in Saudi Arabia since 2018 bilateral agreements
- 33,000 remain in Oman despite bans
- Criminal syndicates including soldiers, artistes, and a few pastors have infiltrated recruitment agencies for human trafficking operations
Recommendations
The article advocates for strengthening border security and promoting legitimate agencies while warning against demonizing the entire recruitment sector. Proper regulation, not blanket bans, is the path to protecting migrant workers while preserving legitimate economic opportunities.
