Repatriation of distressed Ugandan migrant workers in the Gulf states needs harnessed collaboration and coordination between stakeholders.
To effectively rescue distraught migrant workers, a multifaceted approach is needed, including strengthening protection mechanisms, addressing the root causes of migration, and providing safe and legal pathways for migration. This involves implementing legal frameworks, establishing social dialogue, promoting human rights, and ensuring access to support services like healthcare and family communication.
These were remarks of the Senior Presidential Advisor on Diaspora Affairs, Ambassador Abbey Walusimbi, as he met with Mr. Terry Rhodes & Ms. Melissa Rhodes, who are Directors of Set Captives Free, and Mr. Daniel Garnet, the Director of Rain Collective, organizations that have been promoting the rights and welfare of Ugandan migrant workers in Jordan, Syria, and Iraq for more than a decade.
The meeting focused on plenary discussions, where participants deliberated on ways to improve labor migration governance in Uganda and overseas.
Key areas of discussion included enhancing policy perspectives on labor migration, improving the return and reintegration processes for migrants, and strengthening information management systems.
Uganda has made notable progress in creating an enabling environment for labor migration, but more needs to be done to ensure that migrant workers are better protected and supported, both at home and abroad.
Key to note was the call to improve coordination and collaboration among key stakeholders in Uganda’s labor migration. They emphasized the need to assess the progress of ongoing labor migration initiatives, address the challenges encountered, and explore future strategies to ensure better protection and welfare for migrant workers.
All parties agreed to bring together stakeholders comprising representatives from various sectors, including government, employers, recruitment agencies, and trade unions, all working to enhance Uganda’s labor migration governance.
The Ambassador called for the establishment of a Technical Working Group (TWG) in Uganda, which will assess the progress of ongoing labour migration initiatives, address the challenges encountered, and explore future strategies to ensure better protection and welfare for migrant workers.
“President Museveni & the government aim to improve coordination among stakeholders and ensure the protection and welfare of migrant workers. With this partnership, we shall assess the progress of existing initiatives, address challenges, and explore future strategies,” he noted.
Several organizations actively promote the rights and welfare of Ugandan migrant workers. The most important part is to approach labour migration from a perspective of human rights, aligned with the principles of social justice and decent work.
While stakeholders have focused on the earlier stages of the migration cycle, such as the development of effective migration laws and policies, pre-departure training, and research on working conditions when abroad, far less attention is focused on the reintegration of migrant workers.
Reintegration programs should be addressed comprehensively before, during, and after migration. Integrated and targeted programs could assist migrant workers to return to their local community, as well as optimize their contribution to their communities and labour markets.
