Latest Posts

Big Story: Government Moves To Amend MoU On Labour Externalization

The government has started a process to ensure that Ugandans employed in the Middle East get similar terms of employment as their counterparts from other countries.

This is after it was revealed that the earnings and workload for Ugandans especially those working as house maids are determined by clauses in the Memorandum of Understanding between Uganda and the host countries.

Currently, Uganda has a running MoU with Saudi Arabia, which spells out guidelines for the recruiting companies, the contracting companies and employers. Ugandans recruited under this arrangement are paid around 900,000 Shillings a month.

However, many of them say this is very low and about half of what others from other countries are paid. They add that other unfair terms include the workload, with the Ugandans having to execute multiple tasks during their term of employment, while other nationals are only assigned one task.

A group of those who have completed their contracts say that given another chance they would go for more contracts, but urge the government to review the MoU instead of banning the industry.

On the workers having no say in the salaries paid, the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development admits that all these were put in the MoUs to avoid exploitation by the companies contacting them.

The views by the former workers in Saudi Arabia under their umbrella association Gulf Labour Returnees Association, came after Minister Betty Amongi revealed the recommendations of the cabinet on the plight of the workers. According to her, Cabinet has instructed the Ministry to come up with a report showing how the externalisation of labour can be improved for the safety of the Ugandans abroad.

Amongi said that the Ministers want the labour externalization suspended until adequate measures are put in place in response to the challenges that the workers have faced especially in the Middle East. In the meeting with the labour recruitment companies, Amongi explained that the cabinet proposals included suspending the industry, mainly over concerns about the loss of organs by Ugandans in the gulf countries.

The returnees, several of whom are seeking new contracts to go back to Saudi Arabia, said that those who have encountered problems like abuse by their hosts are very few in number, not warranting killing the opportunity for all. One of them, Winnie Musimenta said she would not wish to see any woman in the situation she was in before the opportunity struck and she left Uganda.

Another returnee, Betty Namugosa who claims she has acquired a number of properties in Jinja, said apart from poverty, the women are forced out of the country by domestic violence. She says that on her part, she could not stand the abuse by her husband, which included assault and denial of necessities.

The returnees also said that most of those who have encountered problems like sexual abuse and physical assault partly contribute to it because of how they behave. Their leader, Prossy Zawedde says Uganda, especially young females cannot afford to lose employment opportunities.

Frank Mugabi, the communications officer at the ministry says they have commenced a review of the agreements with the aim of responding to the new and outstanding issues that they are facing, including salaries.

On the complaints that Ugandans are overworked compared to what their counterparts are assigned, Mugabi said the study being done before the review, involves what is included in the agreements signed by other countries.

Specifically, Mugabi says the ministry will benchmark to the agreement between the Philippines and Saudi Arabia, and if they realise it is worth it, they will use it as a point to review the Uganda-Saudi Arabia MOU. But he says there are good clauses therein which they have decided to adopt.

Loading

Don't Miss

EXPOSED! Muyenga Tycoon’s Maid Cited In Land Wrangle

In recent days, Muyenga, Y2K Zone a push Kampala suburb,

Parliament Orders Closure Of Fuelex Petrol Stations For Adulterating Fuel

The Parliamentary Committee on Trade And Industry led by Mbarara

Big Story: Parliament Probes UETCL Bosses Over Corruption, Mismanagement & Controversial UGX 28Billion Compensation Deal

Members of Parliament on the Committee on Environment and Natural

‘Back Off Buganda Land’ Kabaka Mutebi Castigates People Pushing For Abolition Of Mailo Land Tenure System

The Kabaka of Buganda Kingdom Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II has

Big Story: IGG Probes Over Shs1bn Ubos Fraud

The Inspector General of Government (IGG) is investigating top officials

EXPLOSIVE: How Speaker Kadaga & Confidant Hon. Okupa Spent Over US $764,000 (Shs2.8 BN) In-less Than 2 Years In Travels Abroad

Since taking office as Deputy Speaker of Parliament way back

Ham Vs DTB Appeal: Bank Of Uganda Runs Out Of Case, Leaves DTB To Carry Its Own Cross

Bank of Uganda has officially quit the case involving city

Amnesty International Joins Push To Free Presidential Runner Robert Kyagulanyi

The Ugandan authorities must immediately lift the police and military

Exporters Call For Strong Action Against EAC States’ Trade Barriers

Manufacturers have called on the government to impose tough measures

Big Story: How KCCA Officials Messed Up Youth Fund Programs, Stole Billions of Gov’t Funds In Shoddy Deals

Kampala: If there is any government Authority that frustrating President

I Predict Museveni, NRM Victory In 2021 Elections

By Faruk Kirunda Kampala: As we dive into the high

Crisis: Lord Mayor Lukwago Defies Court Order, Appoints Balondemu As Chairman K’la District Land Board

Veteran lawyer Hajji Elias Lukwago, who is the Kampala city

Scandal: Stanbic Bank Bosses Allegedly Steal Borrowers’ Land Titles, Mortgage Them To Dfcu Bank

Several officials at Stanbic Bank are in deep trouble after

Scandal: KCCA Officials On Spot For Blowing Shs 8Bn Under The Guise Of Renovating Old Tax Park

Several officials at the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), are

Covid-19 Crisis: Ugandan Students Expected To Sit For UNEB Exams In March 2021

All indications are that a dead year will not be

BoU To Appeal In Supreme Court Over Trashed Crane Bank Case

The Bank of Uganda (BOU) has said it will be

Shame As Top Police Boss Is Convicted Of Car Theft, Ordered To Pay Over Shs282M

Untold shame has engulfed the Uganda Police a senior officer

Just In! Energy Mafias Rock Parliament As Patriotic Young Turks Question AIGP Akullo’s Involvement In Min. Energy Corruption

Panic has rocked Parliament as renowned Parliamentarian and Lawyer Hon.

Energy Mafias Debunked Part III: How Werikhe, Turyagyenda Corruptly Swindled Shs15 Bn For 3 Electricity Distribution Projects In Acholi, Bunyoro & Kiruhura

FUNDING THE COUP THROUGH ENERGY AND MINERALS CORRUPTION By the

Just In: Top Energy Officials Fired On Presidential Orders Over Massive Theft Of Electricity Distribution Funds

By Our Reporter Kampala: Two senior officials of Rural Electrification

Salary Scam Hits KCCA AS 29bn Is Paid To Ghost Workers

After Eng Andrew Kitata took over as the acting Executive

Police Probe Ugandan Security Company Over UGX 33 Billion Missing Gold

Uganda Police on Friday opened investigations into the missing 210kg

Kadaga Summons Min.Kasaija For Reading Wrong National Budget Figures

The Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga, has directed the Minister