Mr. Kayonde Abdallah Champions Fair Recruitment and Justice for African Migrant Workers at Nairobi Conference

Nairobi, Kenya June 26, 2025

Mr. Kayonde Abdallah, the President of the Migrant Workers' Voice Organisation and interim President of the Federation of Ugandan Migrant Workers Associations (FUMWA), is currently attending a three-day conference on Strengthening Trade Union Action to Advance Fair Recruitment in Africa, organized by ITUC-Africa and the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Nairobi.

As the International Director for Ugandan migrant workers, Mr. Kayonde is representing Uganda’s migrant workforce in this critical forum aimed at promoting ethical recruitment practices and protecting the rights of migrant workers across the continent.

In his remarks at the conference, Mr. Kayonde called on sending governments, particularly those in Africa, to fast-track the recognition of migrant workers’ leadership and their stakeholdership in all processes related to ethical and fair recruitment. He emphasized that justice for victimized migrant workers can only be realized through social order, which requires sending and receiving states to enact comprehensive labour migration laws supported by binding bilateral labour agreements (BLAs), rather than relying on mere regulations. According to him, the current regulatory frameworks have often failed, leaving many African migrant workers especially those traveling to Gulf states exposed to exploitation and vulnerabilities.

Mr. Kayonde also urged governments and potential migrant workers to work collaboratively to eliminate trafficking in persons, a practice that not only leads to severe exploitation but also jeopardizes the lives of migrants. He warned that victims often fall prey to illicit, untraceable syndicates, making justice difficult to obtain for both sending and receiving countries. “Prevention is better than reaction and rescue supports,” he stressed, advocating for proactive measures to protect migrant workers before harm occurs.

The conference brings together trade union leaders from across Africa to strengthen capacities, share experiences, and develop unified advocacy strategies for fair recruitment. Participants will engage in interactive sessions designed to deepen their understanding of international and regional frameworks, such as the ILO Fair Recruitment Initiative and the African Union’s Fair and Ethical Recruitment Strategy.

Mr. Kayonde’s leadership and advocacy at this event highlight his unwavering commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of African migrant workers. The outcomes of this conference are expected to shape future campaigns and policy dialogues aimed at creating safer, fairer, and more transparent labour migration systems across Africa and beyond.

Speech of Mr. Abdallah Kayonde from 26 June 2025

First speech:

Second speech: