Overview:
Clearance and deployment of migrant workers, approval of job orders, and training of migrant workers under the agreement are suspended with immediate effect, he added.
The Ugandan government has suspended the bilateral labor agreement with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, authorities at the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development have said.
Mr. David Aggrey Kibenge, the Labor ministry permanent secretary has since notified sector players that Uganda’s bilateral labor agreement with Saudi Arabia would expire expire on December 27, 2022.
“Following Article 10 of the bilateral labor agreement on domestic workers between Saudi Arabia and Uganda, the agreement is suspended with effect from December 23, 2022, pending re-negotiations. Furthermore, the same Article 10 provides that suspension/termination shall be without prejudice to the individual employment contracts existing at the time of suspension,” reads in part, a letter dated December 23, 2022.
Key among those notified are recruitment agencies and pre-departure orientation and training institutions.
“You are also aware of the challenges that have persisted during its implementation,” Mr.
Kibenge
Clearance and deployment of migrant workers, approval of job orders, and training of migrant workers under the agreement are suspended with immediate effect, he added.
The latest development doesn’t affect migrant workers whose travel had already been cleared by the ministry, before this date, and own signed contracts, travel tickets, and entity visas.
“Any inconvenience caused is highly regretted. We will, however, endeavor to work with all relevant authorities and stakeholders to ensure a quick resolution of all the outstanding issues,” the ministry promised