Africa-Press – Uganda. The Ugandans government has warned its citizens against falling prey in regards non-existent jobs in Russia.
“I want to inform Ugandans that as a country we don’t have any bilateral agreements with Russia for labour migration. Those people taking you to Russia are not licenced and not known to us,” the Minister of State for Labour, Employment, and Industrial Relations,Esther Anyakun said as government launched a campaign on safe labour migration.
There have been reports of several Africans, including Ugandans who have been lured to go and fight for the Russian forces against Ukraine.
Many of those recruited are swayed with high paying jobs but end up being forced to join forces fighting for Russia against Ukraine.
A number of them, including Ugandans have been killed on the frontline fighting for Russia, raising concern among members of the public.
Commenting about the situation, Minister Anyakun warned Ugandans that currently, there is no agreement between Uganda and Russia for migration of labour, noting that in this case, no company has been licenced to do so.
“Those companies or individuals taking you for work to Russia are not licenced to do the work. In case you want to go to Russia for any work, come to us as government for advice.”
The minister urged Ugandans to report any company or individuals who are involved in taking people to Russia under the guise of work.
Campaign on safe labour migration
The minister said the safe labour migration awareness campaign under the theme’ Travel safe, stay safe’ aims to educate, inform, and protect Ugandans, both at home and abroad, by ensuring that accurate, government-approved information on labour migration reaches the public.
“The campaign will raise public awareness on safe, legal, and regular labour migration processes and approved channels of migration but also educate Ugandans on the dangers and consequences of irregular and illegal migration, including human trafficking and exploitation,”Anyakun said.
She said as part of the campaign, government will promote the use of licensed recruitment companies and approved job orders verified by the Ministry, noting that government will also increase awareness about protection mechanisms, including pre-departure training, clearance procedures, and bilateral labour arrangements.
“We want to publicise complaints handling and support systems available to migrant workers and their families through the Ministry and Ugandan Missions abroad but also to strengthen public trust in the government’s labour externalisation framework and reduce reliance on unlicensed agents and brokers.”
Anyakun told journalists that Ugandans intending to go abroad should ensure that they go through companies licensed by the ministry.
Licensed companies can be verified through: eemis.mglsd.go.ug
The minister also warned that tours and travel companies are not legally mandated to take Ugandans abroad for work.
“There are also agents out there claiming to take Ugandans abroad for work. The Ministry does not license individuals to take people abroad for work. Only companies are licensed,” Anyakun said.
“ Even for licensed companies, before Ugandans sign up with them, they must verify whether the Ministry has approved the job orders, the company purports to have.Before migrant workers leave the country, they must ensure that they are traveling by an employment visa not visit/tourist visa, and must sign an employment contract or offer letter before leaving the country, which they should share with their relatives or family.”
