Labour export firms caution Govt over salary increment

Government of Uganda has highlighted key issues it wants to be addressed before the new bilateral labour agreement is signed with much emphasis on minimum wage/salary, and rectifying anomalies in the contracts signed among others.

In a telephone interview with this reporter, the vice-chairperson UAERA, Ibrahim Bogere, said even though the issue of salary is critical, the Government should look at how much is paid to other African countries that have similar products especially Kenya and Ethiopia among others.

He warns that any slight mistake of making their demands too high might force the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to choose other options.

“Our Government needs to be mindful of its concerns. Let them try to look it what other countries are being paid. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia may be forced to choose other options,” he said.

In 2022, Uganda suspended a bilateral labour export agreement with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia over complaints of alleged continued mistreatment and torture of Ugandan migrant workers.

In 2017, the Ugandan Government entered into a five-year labour agreement with Saudi Arabia aimed at promoting the welfare and rights of migrant workers.

Statistics from the ministry of Gender, Labor and Social Development show that Saudi Arabia is the biggest labour externalisation destination in the Middle East with over 150,000 Ugandans migrant workers. 

However, there have been persistent complaints about the torture of Ugandan labourers, confiscation of their travel documents such as passports, denial of leave and return permits, and non-payment among others.

With the effective expiry of the agreement today December 27, Uganda through the ministry of Gender has asked Saudi Arabia to address the different grievances raised by Ugandan migrants if the agreement is to be renewed.