Uganda to Streamline Labour Export with Reforms

The Ugandan government is initiating a series of reforms designed to significantly improve its labour export sector. The primary goals include reducing the lengthy licensing period for recruitment agencies, bolstering the skills development of prospective migrant workers, and ensuring better working conditions and protections for Ugandans employed abroad.

Minister of State for Labour, Simon Mulongo, indicated that the current four to six-month timeframe for licensing labour export companies will be shortened to a maximum of one month. A key component of this acceleration will be the digitization of the application and licensing process, making it more efficient and competitive regionally.

“We want to see whether we cannot do the entire process online,” Mulongo stated, highlighting the move towards a digital-first approach to streamline bureaucracy. This aims to reduce paperwork and expedite the entry of legitimate companies into the market.

Furthermore, the reforms will place a strong emphasis on skills training. The government plans to equip Ugandans with relevant skills, particularly in domestic work, childcare, and technical trades, before they depart. This includes training in basic technologies and operational skills pertinent to their intended jobs.

“We do not want to send people who are totally raw. We want to ensure that they are skilled in the basic stuff… so that when they go there, it elevates their chances of getting engaged,” the minister explained. The government also intends to collaborate with destination countries to identify specific skill demands and tailor training programs accordingly, with a strategic five-year plan to shift from exporting unskilled to skilled labour.

Additionally, the reforms will focus on negotiating improved terms and conditions for migrant workers, covering aspects like fair treatment, robust complaint resolution mechanisms, and advocating for minimum wages in certain sectors. These changes come in response to ongoing concerns about the welfare of Ugandans working abroad and disruptions caused by international travel restrictions.

Improving the recruitment process, enhancing worker preparation, and strengthening protections in host countries are central to making labour export a safer and more beneficial avenue for Ugandans.

Source: Nile Post