Stakeholders run to highlight plight of Ugandan migrant workers

Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja has contributed Shs10m towards the refurbishment of a reception and rehabilitation centre that will offer psychological and medical support to destressed migrant workers.

This was during the first Migrant Stakeholders Run organized at Kololo Independence ground over the weekend under the theme”Enhancing Safe Labour Migration”.

In a statement read by the Minister of State for Kampala, Kyofatogabye Kabuye, the Prime Minister, appreciated the Diaspora Affairs Office and other stakeholders for organizing the event that will go a long way in addressing the challenges within the labour externalization sector.

Nabbanja said that some migrant workers  face challenges due to preference of shortcuts but urged that there is need to avoid these illegal means since they make human trafficking thrive.

She also  asked recruitment companies to find jobs not only for domestic workers but also professionals, because the latter earn better.

According to the convener , Amb. Abbey Walusimbi the Senior Presidential Advisor on Diapora Affairs, the run was part of the follow up action points of the high-Level symposium on labour externalization that was hosted in May.

He said that during the meeting, it was observed that there is a loophole in handling the deported migrant workers.

Amb. Walusimbi said that his office intends to support the refurbishment of a reception center for the migrant returnees to help them resettle in the communities.

“The president believes all Ugandan is in the diaspora matter which means that when one Ugandan migrant worker suffers from mistreatment, human trafficking, unsafe working conditions or any type of distress we all feel the pain. He created the office of diaspora affairs to answer the call and craft a unified approach towards improving the needs of all migrant workers,”  Walusimbi said.

He urged all stakeholders to unite, harmonize and streamline the sector in a bid to uplift the rights and dignity of migrant workers.

The CEO Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission, Dr. Dabiri Abike commended President Museveni for streamlining and organizing the labour externalization sector.

Dr. Abike noted that there is a need for a unified approach towards tapping into the potential of the African diasporas so as to rebuild Africa.

“Our plates are similar in the need to unify and streamline efforts towards increasing opportunities for Africans in the diaspora, and our Margaret work,” Dr. Abike said.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) Uganda Chief of Mission, Ambassador Sanusi Tejan Savage mentioned that for optimum results, labour migration needs to be governed by good policies and sound regulatory frameworks.

These he added would help ensure that migrant workers’ rights are respected and that workers reach their full potential.

He assured that the IOM is committed to addressing the issues migrant workers face, not just abroad but at all stages of the labour migration process.

"One of our goals is to promote ethical recruitment as per the International Recruitment Integrity System," he said.

The Head of State House Anti-Corruption Unit, Brig. Gen. Henry Isoke pointed out that the unit working together with all stakeholders is  committed to continue ensuring that corruption and  migration illegalities in the labour sector are dealt with at all levels to ensure safety of Ugandans.