THE DISORIENTATION OF THE LINE MINISTRY FROM WHAT HAS TO BE DONE RIGHT! By Kayonde Abdallah.
The current state of Ugandan migrant workers in the gulf states, particularly Saudi Arabia, is a grave concern. This is primarily due to the Ugandan ministry of Gender trying to assume the responsibility of the ministry of foreign affairs, even when it has no jurisdictional mandate to oversee where these migrant workers are deployed for work! This monopoly role has resulted in the exploitation of these Ugandans and has exacerbated the trafficking systems in place, exposing them to enormous threats that no one qualified is following.
It is high time for the government of Uganda to realize the grave consequences of not entrusting the ministry of foreign affairs to protect the rights and welfare of Ugandan migrant workers adequately.
According to the International Labour Organization (ILO) report on the situation of Ugandan migrant workers, some of the roles of foreign affairs in protecting the rights of Ugandan migrant workers include:
1. Negotiating bilateral agreements with host countries to ensure the protection of migrant workers' rights and welfare.
2. Establishing mechanisms to monitor and enforce compliance with labor laws and regulations in host countries.
3. Providing information and assistance to migrant workers before departure, including legal and employment advice, health care, and protection against exploitation and abuse.
4. Developing policies and procedures for the safe and orderly migration of workers, including measures to prevent illegal recruitment, trafficking, and forced labor.
5. Providing consular assistance to Ugandan migrant workers in case of emergencies, such as accidents, illnesses, or conflicts with employers.
6. Cooperating with international organizations and other countries to address the global challenges associated with labor migration.
Ugandan migrant workers need the government's protection, and the authorities need to take their role seriously. Failure to do so can lead to more exploitation, trafficking, and even death for these individuals. Let us work together to ensure that the rights and welfare of all Ugandan migrant workers remain protected and respected.
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