The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has introduced strict penalties for labour companies that confiscate the passports of migrant workers. Under the new regulation, any company caught withholding a worker’s passport will be fined Shs5 million. This move aims to protect migrant workers, including many Ugandans, from unfair treatment and exploitation by their employers.
Migrant workers in the UAE and Saudi Arabia have long faced difficulties related to their rights and working conditions. Many workers, especially those from Uganda, have reported that their passports were taken away upon arrival, making it nearly impossible for them to leave or seek better job opportunities. The new law in the UAE is meant to stop this practice and ensure that migrant workers have full control over their travel documents.
In Saudi Arabia, a similar law was introduced in December 2020. The Saudi government banned employers from keeping workers’ passports, residency permits (iqamas), or medical insurance cards without written permission. Employers who violate this rule now face a fine of 5,000 riyals, which is about $1,230. However, despite these laws, many cases of passport confiscation and other forms of worker mistreatment continue to be reported. Official records show that between 2023 and 2024, at least 33,869 violations were recorded, although the exact number of passport confiscations is unknown.
One Ugandan worker, Sharon Kusasira, shared her painful experience of working in Saudi Arabia. She recalled how her employer took her passport as soon as she arrived. She was then divided into groups with other workers and questioned about her past jobs in other Arab countries. During her time there, she suffered a serious workplace injury that resulted in the loss of a finger. Without her passport, she had no way to leave or seek better opportunities. Cases like hers highlight the urgent need for better protection of migrant workers.
Uganda’s senior presidential advisor on diaspora affairs, Abbey Walusimbi, recently visited Saudi Arabia and shared his findings about the challenges faced by Ugandan workers. He noted that many Ugandans are unaware of the strict penalties employers face for keeping their passports. He encouraged workers to report such violations to the authorities to help enforce the laws and protect their rights.
At the same time, Walusimbi highlighted the growing demand for skilled Ugandan workers in Saudi Arabia. Sectors such as healthcare, construction, and transportation are in need of more professionals, and Saudi employers are eager to recruit Ugandans for these jobs. He also proposed a new policy for Uganda that would allow public health workers to take extended leave to work abroad while keeping their government jobs. This, he explained, would prevent brain drain while also allowing Ugandans to gain valuable experience and increase their earnings.
Walusimbi assured Ugandan workers that efforts were being made to improve the labour externalisation process. His goal is to ensure that Ugandans working abroad are treated fairly and have access to safe and well-paying jobs. He believes that protecting the rights of migrant workers will not only improve their lives but also contribute to Uganda’s economic growth by increasing remittances and developing a more skilled workforce.
With these new measures in place, migrant workers in the UAE and Saudi Arabia can hope for better protection against exploitation. However, there is still a long way to go in fully enforcing these rules and making sure that all companies follow them. Workers are encouraged to stay informed about their rights and report any abuses to ensure a safer and fairer working environment for all.