By Our Reporter
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Ambassador Abbey Walusimbi, Uganda’s Senior Presidential Advisor on Diaspora Affairs, has committed to enhancing the safety and welfare of Ugandan migrant workers in Saudi Arabia following a series of interactions with Ugandan migrant workers, and visits to recruitment companies in the Kingdom, Maharah HumanResourcesCompany, Ayadi Higher Training Institute, Al MawaridManpower, among others. His initiative aims to address key challenges faced by Ugandans working abroad, particularly in relation to labor rights and employment conditions.
For decades, Ugandan migrant workers who move to Saudi Arabia have faced hardships in seeing their rights fulfilled by a fair labor law set by the kingdom.
One of the measures put in place to abolish human trafficking was the ban on passport withholding by the employer. The regulation reads that the employer shall not have the right to retain workers’ passport, iqama, or medical insurance card without a written statement. This reform was announced in December 2020 by the Saudi Ministry of Human Resources. If the employer does not comply with the regulation, a fine of 5000 riyals, (1,230 EUR) should be imposed.
Although some efforts have been made to ensure a more humanized approach to their rights, the measures have not thus far materialised.
Between 2023-2024, 33,869 violations were flagged, although it was not made public how many of these referred to passport withholding. “Sharon Kusasira from Bweyogere, Wakiso District, who worked in Saudi Arabia in 2019, regrets her experience having lost a finger and her travel document confiscated by her employer. “There, we were ushered into a house and split into groups. Our passports were confiscated and they asked me if I had worked in any Arab country,” she painfully narrated.
The new revelations have been discovered by Ambassador Abbey Walusimbi after his recent visit to Saudi Arabia. According to the Senior Presidential Advisor on Diaspora Affairs, many of Ugandan migrant workers working in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are unaware of such stringent penal provisions. “I call upon our citizens working in the Kingdom to report to relevant authorities any attempt or act of confiscation of their travel documents.”
During his visit to Al Mawarid Manpower, one of the largest labor recruitment companies in Saudi Arabia, Walusimbi learned that over 4,000 Ugandan workers are employed there across various skill sectors.
In his meeting with Al Mawarid’s CEO, Riyadh Ibrahim Al Romizan, Walusimbi was briefed on the growing demand for skilled labor in industries like healthcare, construction, and transportation. Al Romizan expressed a keen interest in recruiting more Ugandan professionals, particularly in medical fields. He also suggested that Uganda could consider a policy allowing public health workers to take extended overseas work leaves without permanently leaving their government positions. This, he said, would help reduce brain drain while improving skills and contributing to Uganda’s economic development.
Walusimbi also raised the idea of making the Ugandan Embassy in Riyadh a passport printing center. This would address a significant barrier for workers who are unable to travel to Uganda for passport renewals, which often disrupts their employment contracts. He believes this move would streamline the process for Ugandan workers and make it easier for them to maintain their jobs.
Ambassador Walusimbi emphasized the vast opportunities available for Ugandans in Saudi Arabia’s labor market and pledged to ensure that the process of labor externalization is streamlined for the benefit of both the workers and Uganda’s economic growth. He also expressed appreciation for the strong ties between Uganda and Saudi Arabia, vowing to continue working closely with all stakeholders to ensure the protection of Ugandan workers.
Through his inspections and consultations, Walusimbi has helped restore confidence in the labor externalization sector. This positive outcome is expected to lead to new job opportunities, boosting Uganda’s labor market and providing much-needed economic support for both Ugandan workers and local businesses.
