Uganda and Somalia Sign Bilateral Labour Agreement to Protect Migrant Workers

Uganda and Somalia have officially formalized a new labour agreement aimed at enhancing the welfare and protection of Ugandan nationals employed in Somalia. The pact was signed in Mogadishu by Gen. Henry Tumukunde, Uganda’s Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, alongside Prof. Salim Alio Ibro, Somalia’s Minister of Labour and Social Affairs. The signing took place during the conclusion of the mid-term review for the Uganda–Somalia Joint Permanent Commission.

According to Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the newly minted accord establishes a robust framework designed to guarantee regulated employment, fair recruitment practices, and comprehensive rights protection. Currently, more than 20,000 Ugdandans reside and work in Somalia, spanning vital sectors such as education, healthcare, logistics, and private security.

During discussions, Minister Tumukunde emphasized that the framework seeks to eliminate persistent workplace challenges faced by migrants, including unlawful dismissals, unpaid benefits, passport confiscations, and uncontracted labor. Officials highlighted that under the terms of the agreement, workers must be at least 21 years old and possess a legally binding written contract prior to departure. Furthermore, employers are mandated to cover visa expenses, travel logistics, and mandatory bi-annual return trips home while ensuring wages are directly deposited into official bank accounts.

The agreement strictly prohibits forced labor and the seizure of personal passports, while preserving workers’ rights to communicate freely with their families and diplomatic missions. It also allows employees to switch employers if they encounter breaches of promised job terms. Prior to deployment, Uganda is tasked with ensuring that all outgoing workers undergo rigorous medical clearances, background criminal checks, and are spared from exorbitant recruitment agency fees.

Scheduled to run for an initial three-year term with automatic renewals, the pact will officially take effect following the confirmation of internal governmental approvals from both nations. Read more about the development on the Nile Post.