Uganda and Qatar Sign Bilateral Labour Agreement to Ensure Safe and Formal Migration
Frank Semata 
The Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Hon. Betty Amongi Akena, has inked a Bilateral Labour Agreement with the government of the State of Qatar.
The agreement, signed on Monday, paves the way for a structured and secure framework for labour migration from Uganda to Qatar.
During her speech at the signing ceremony, Hon. Betty Amongi expressed gratitude towards her Qatari counterpart, H.E Ali Bin Samikh Al Marri, Minister of Labour, for extending warm hospitality to the Ugandan delegation.
Highlighting the substantial presence of over 30,000 Ugandan workers in Qatar, Hon. Amongi underscored the necessity of formalizing labour migration channels to ensure organized and safe migration.
Both Ministers acknowledged the importance of establishing a Joint Technical Committee promptly to expedite the implementation of the agreement. Additionally, they agreed to convene a follow-up meeting on May 27th, 2024, to evaluate the initial progress and kickstart the implementation phase effectively.
A critical aspect of the agreement is the commitment to monitor and regulate recruitment agencies in Qatar to uphold the rights, welfare, and contractual obligations of Ugandan workers.
This ensures that recruitment companies adhere strictly to the provisions outlined in the agreement, promoting fair treatment and protection of workers' rights.
The bilateral agreement encompasses the externalization of skilled, semi-skilled, and domestic workers, offering opportunities for Ugandan workers across various sectors to access employment opportunities in Qatar under formal and regulated channels.
