Gender Minister Amongi meets Officials of Labour Ministry in Jordan Over the Bilateral Labour Agreement (BLA).

The Minister of Gender Labour and Social Development has led a delegation to Jordan to discuss the operationalization of the Bilateral Labour Agreement between Uganda and Jordan. 

The minister arrived in Jordan on the 22nd of August 2023, Upon arrival the Minister met the delegation from Labour Ministry with a call to for both sides to establish the Joint technical committee to follow up on the complaints from migrant workers. 

The visit to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan followed numerous reports that some Ugandans who have been externalized to Jordan were in detention/jail in Jordan since the Covid19 lockdown serving long sentences. 

The intention was to seek their amnesty and release from prisons.

Further, the Minister also discussed how to implement provisions in The Bilateral Labour Agreement (BLA) was renewed automatically in 2022.

The Minister has also raised with her counterpart complaint related to: 

• Inadequate Commission paid to Ugandan agencies to externalize workers.

• Failure to pay salaries of migrant workers

• Nonpayment of Ugandan companies 

• Human Rights violations 

• Human trafficking

• Inadequate consular services

On their part, the government of Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan raised concerns Fake medical reports (HIV, Hepatitis B,) being presented for workers cleated to work in their country, and Rampant runaways by Ugandan girls who are working illegally in homes around the country.

The two Ministers agreed to form the joint technical committee to handle most of the outstanding issues raised.

Story By: Hellen Neboshi.