"Ugandans suffer in Middle East because many use false documents"

Ugandans have been accused of using false documents while traveling for work in the Middle East and end up suffering without anyone helping them.

As unemployment continues to bite, thousands of Ugandans have in the past few years found their way to Middle East countries including United Arab Emirates (Dubai and Abu Dhabi), Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Omar for employment opportunities but a number of them have complained of exploitation and harassment.

Speaking to journalists during a workshop on prevention of trafficking in persons in Kampala on Thursday, the Executive Director of the Uganda Association of External Recruitment Agency (UAREA), an umbrella organization for registered export labour companies, Enid Nambuya said a number of Ugandans travelling for work in the Middle East don’t use authentic documents and on getting problems, they can’t be helped.

“Because of frustrations at home, women welcome any form of work available abroad but they are not proud of it. They therefore use falsified documents so their people back home don’t know the kind of jobs they are going to do in Middle East,”Nambuya said.

“They want to appear as though they are doing the best jobs in the world but if problems come, it is difficult to help them.”

She explained that many of those going abroad put wrong people as their  next of kin but in case of problems, there is no way to trace them.

Use individuals not licensed companies

The Uganda Association of External Recruitment Agency boss added that most Ugandans prefer going through individuals other than licensed companies to Middle East but end up being duped by these individuals.

“They trust individuals more than they do with licensed companies because with the former, it is easy to be taken to Middle East but on a number of occasions the consequences are dire,”Nambuya said.

She revealed that for individuals, Ugandans are taken using tourist visas before processing the work permits on reaching in the Middle East countries but she noted that on a number of occasions, they end up being exploited.”

“In case of problems, those who went with individuals end up not being helped because the individuals are nowhere to be seen.”

Termination of contracts

Nambuya said that they have received a number of complaints in which Ugandans in the Middle East want to terminate the two year contracts before they expire but due to the clauses, they are unable.

She explained that in the contracts it is indicated that in case an employee wants to terminate it, they are supposed to give a three month notice but noted most Ugandans don’t adhere to it.

“When they feel being exploited or cannot continue working, they demand to leave their places of work but when the employers demand for the three months in lieu without having money, they tend to make alarm.”

The Commissioner in charge of human trafficking in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Moses Binoga urged Ugandans wishing to go abroad for work to always go through licensed companies.

“All those going to Middle East through licensed companies should see they exit the country through Entebbe airport and in an open way without having to conceal their visa and job contract papers,”Binoga said.

“Those going out should endeavor to get the telephone contacts of their recruitment companies, the Ministry of labour officials or any other person working with the enforcement agency for use in reporting in case of demanding situations.”

There are over 140,000 Ugandans working in Middle East countries.