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Advocating for a Just and Fair Labour Migration Regime for Ugandan Migrant Workers: A Call for Rights, Not Monopoly

Ssemaganda Moses Hope
By Ssemaganda Moses Hope


Advocating for a Just and Fair Labour Migration Regime for Ugandan Migrant Workers: A Call for Rights, Not Monopoly
Advocating for a Just and Fair Labour Migration Regime for Ugandan Migrant Workers: A Call for Rights, Not Monopoly

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The Federation of Ugandan Migrant Workers Associations(FUMWA) explained.

Labour migration is a reality for many Ugandans who seek better opportunities beyond our borders. However, when migrant workers advocate for a just and fair labour migration regime, this is sometimes misunderstood as a demand for monopoly or exclusivity. 

 

In truth, what they are asking for is far more fundamental  the natural and inalienable rights to freedom of speech, association, and collective bargaining. These rights are enshrined not only in Uganda’s Constitution but also in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and international labour standards.

Ugandan migrant workers deserve to have their voices heard and to be fairly represented. 

 

 

The right to organize and collectively bargain is essential to protect their dignity and welfare. The International Labour Organization (ILO) clearly states that these rights apply to all workers, including migrants. It is not about monopolizing labour migration but about ensuring that migrant workers can participate meaningfully in decisions that affect their lives and livelihoods. 

 

They seek recognition of their right to organize, to be represented fairly, and to influence policies that govern their migration and employment conditions.

Despite the growing number of Ugandans working abroad, our country still faces significant challenges in protecting their rights. The legal framework for labour migration is still developing, and enforcement mechanisms are often weak. This gap leaves many migrant workers vulnerable to exploitation, abuse, and unsafe working conditions. 

 

 

While Uganda has made progress, such as establishing a Labour Market Information System to improve migration governance, much more needs to be done to safeguard migrant workers at every stage of their journey.

The Employment (Recruitment of Ugandan Migrant Workers) Regulations, 2021, introduced important protections against exploitation by regulating recruitment agencies and banning unauthorized fees. However, enforcement remains inconsistent, and many migrant workers lack access to legal support or effective representation.

 

 

 This situation highlights the urgent need for stronger protections and for migrant workers themselves to have a platform to advocate for their rights.

Internationally, the rights of migrant workers are protected under conventions such as the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families, which Uganda has ratified. This treaty recognizes that migrant workers have the same civil, political, economic, and social rights as all human beings. It also obliges states to prevent exploitation and ensure migrant workers can access justice, including legal assistance and protection from discrimination or violence.

 

 

 

Freedom of association and collective bargaining are critical tools that empower migrant workers to improve their working conditions and protect themselves from abuses. These rights help ensure decent work and social protections, which are essential not only for the workers themselves but also for their families and communities back home. When Ugandan migrant workers call for fair labour migration policies, they are exercising these internationally recognized rights. Their goal is to make migration safe, orderly, and beneficial not to create monopolies or exclude others.

The recent backlash from Ugandan migrant workers against the Ministry of Gender reflects deep frustrations over inadequate protection and representation. Rather than seeing this advocacy as a challenge, the Ministry should recognize it as a vital partnership in upholding constitutional and human rights. Strengthening enforcement of recruitment regulations, improving predeparture orientation, providing support after placement, and including migrant workers’ voices in policy discussions are essential steps toward a fair labour migration regime.

In the end, advocating for a just and fair labour migration regime is about respecting fundamental human rights. It aligns with Uganda’s constitutional commitments and international obligations to protect migrant workers. For Uganda to truly benefit from labour migration, the government, civil society, and migrant workers must work together to build a transparent, rights based system that guarantees fair representation, protects against exploitation, and respects the dignity of all migrant workers.

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