Uganda Eyes Labour Attachés to Safeguard Citizens Abroad

The Ugandan Parliament is considering the establishment of labour attachés to protect the rights and welfare of its citizens working abroad. This proposal gained momentum after a statement by the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Gen. Henry Tumukunde, detailing the alleged trafficking and detention of three Ugandans in Thailand.

The issue was brought to the fore by Soroti City Woman Representative, Hon. Joan Alobo, who highlighted the case of three individuals who disappeared after traveling to Thailand through a recruitment agency. Gen. Tumukunde confirmed that the agency involved, Result Recruitment Company, was unlicensed and not registered with the ministry’s External Employment Management System, indicating a clear case of human trafficking.

Speaker Oboth emphasized the necessity of such specialized roles, drawing parallels with existing commercial and defence attachés. He argued that a dedicated labour attaché from the Ministry of Gender would be crucial for addressing labor-related issues, fostering collaboration, and ensuring the safety of Ugandan migrant workers. The Speaker also suggested an increase in the Ministry’s budget to facilitate this initiative.

Echoing the Speaker’s sentiments, Jonam County MP, Hon. Alenyo Marshall, pointed to the success of assigning immigration officers abroad to assist citizens. He believes that labour attachés would similarly enable better tracking and support for Ugandan workers, potentially reducing complaints and exploitation.

Workers’ Representative, Hon. Rwakajara Arinaitwe, added that these attachés would be vital in vetting job opportunities and ensuring that promised professional roles do not devolve into exploitative informal labor. The Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Joel Ssenyonyi, also urged the government to prioritize domestic job creation to reduce the outflow of young job seekers.

Lawmakers also called for government support in repatriating Ugandans currently facing difficult working conditions in foreign countries, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced protection mechanisms for migrant workers.

Source: Parliament of Uganda