Uganda and Somalia sign protections for migrant workers
Uganda and Somalia signed a labour agreement in Mogadishu to regulate recruitment and protect Ugandan workers employed in Somalia. Its terms cover written contracts, insurance, passport protection and employer-paid journeys home. The Uganda government says more than 20,000 of its citizens work there. Domestic approval procedures must be completed before the three-year agreement enters into force.
Geopolitics··Midday
Mogadishu agreement covers recruitment
Uganda and Somalia signed a bilateral labour agreement in Mogadishu, Somalia’s capital, on October 22 to regulate recruitment and protect workers. Uganda’s Labour Minister Henry Tumukunde and Somalia’s Labour and Social Affairs Minister Salim Alio Ibro signed during their Joint Permanent Commission’s midterm meeting, a forum for bilateral cooperation. Uganda says more than 20,000 Ugandans work in Somalia. The agreement requires domestic approvals before entering into force for 3 years, with automatic renewal.[1], [2]
Written contracts precede departure
Workers covered by the agreement must be at least 21 and sign a written contract before leaving Uganda. Registration at Somalia’s Labour Ministry follows arrival, and changes to the contract must favour the worker. Employers must cover visa and workplace-travel costs, finance a return journey to Uganda every 2 years and pay wages into the worker’s own bank account with a payslip. Death and disability insurance is also an employer obligation.[1]
Workers retain passports and family contact
The provisions prohibit passport confiscation and forced labour and protect contact with families and Uganda’s diplomatic representation. A worker denied the promised job is entitled to change employers. Families may request repatriation of a deceased worker’s remains. Uganda undertakes criminal-record and medical checks and prevention of excessive recruitment fees. These obligations form part of the signed framework awaiting completion of the countries’ domestic approval procedures.[1]
