The Government of Ghana has launched a new Code of Conduct for Ethical Recruitment and a National Complaints Mechanism to better protect Ghanaians seeking jobs abroad. The initiative is designed to improve accountability in the recruitment sector and prevent the exploitation of migrant workers.
The new measures were unveiled in Accra by the Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, Dr Abdul-Rashid Pelpuo. The framework aims to ensure that recruitment agencies follow ethical standards and respect the rights of workers throughout the recruitment process.
Under the new Code of Conduct, recruitment agencies are not allowed to deduct any part of the salaries of workers they place overseas. Agencies are also prohibited from charging job seekers recruitment-related fees at any stage of the process. Instead, employers are expected to cover all recruitment costs under the Employer Pays Principle.
The code was developed through collaboration between the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the Private Recruiters Association of Ghana, and other stakeholders. It seeks to address unethical recruitment practices that have harmed migrant workers and affected Ghana’s image as a responsible labour-sending country.
Speaking at the launch, Dr Pelpuo said labour migration continues to provide important opportunities for many Ghanaians looking for employment and better living conditions. However, he stressed that migration must be managed in a way that protects workers’ rights, dignity, and welfare.
The Minister noted that thousands of Ghanaians travel abroad every year in search of decent jobs and improved economic opportunities. He said these workers deserve strong legal protection and government support. He also highlighted common challenges in the recruitment industry, including misleading job offers, contract substitution, excessive recruitment fees, denial of workers’ rights, and situations that can lead to forced labour and human trafficking.
According to Dr Pelpuo, the Code of Conduct establishes clear standards for all parties involved in recruiting Ghanaians for both local and international employment. The framework provides practical guidance for Private Employment Agencies to operate with professionalism, transparency, and integrity while respecting workers’ rights.
The code also promotes key principles such as non-discrimination, protection of personal data, prevention of exploitation, and transparency in recruitment practices. These measures are intended to create a safer and fairer recruitment system for migrant workers.
A major part of the initiative is the National Complaints Mechanism, which provides workers and other stakeholders with a formal and accessible channel to report grievances and seek solutions. The government believes this system will strengthen accountability and help protect workers from abuse and exploitation.
Mr Eric Kwame Akomanyi, National Project Officer of the International Organization for Migration, described the code as a rights-based tool that ensures migrant workers receive their full salaries and are treated fairly. He said the framework addresses cases where some agencies maintain control over workers’ earnings after placing them abroad.
He added that the initiative strongly supports the Employer Pays Principle and seeks to ensure that migrant workers are not burdened with recruitment costs. The new measures mark an important step in Ghana’s efforts to promote safe migration and protect the rights of its citizens working overseas.