A historic agreement between Uganda and Saudi Arabia will see hundreds of Ugandan migrant workers stranded in Saudi deportation centers and prisons pardoned and repatriated.
Uganda’s Minister of State for Labour, Esther Anyakun Davinia, and Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Human Resources, Ahmed Alrajhi, signed the deal in Riyadh after high-level talks.
The agreement, reached between 14-17 October 2024, aims to improve the plight of Ugandan migrant workers in Saudi Arabia, many of whom have faced mistreatment and exploitation.
“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has agreed to pardon Ugandan migrant workers stranded in deportation centers and prisons,” said Esther Anyakun Davinia.
The deal focuses on clemency for non-capital offenses, prioritizing women with children born in Saudi Arabia and those held for minor infractions. However, Ugandans sentenced for serious crimes, such as drug trafficking and murder, are excluded.
Ugandan migrant workers in Saudi Arabia and the broader Middle East have long faced challenges, including physical and emotional abuse, exploitation, delayed or withheld wages, and harsh working conditions.
Human rights groups have criticized Saudi Arabia’s kafala system, which places foreign workers under their employers’ control, often leading to exploitation.
Uganda has been negotiating labor agreements with Middle Eastern countries to improve working conditions, access to legal support, and fair treatment for its migrant workers.
The Uganda diaspora in the Middle East, estimated at 170,000 people, sends around $650m in remittances annually, with total diaspora remittances reaching $1.5bn.
Esther Anyakun Davinia emphasized ensuring Ugandan workers are treated with dignity and respect, calling for stricter enforcement of labor standards in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia has faced international pressure to reform its labor policies. This agreement is seen as a positive step toward improving bilateral ties and addressing humanitarian issues.
The pardon will bring relief to families in Uganda awaiting the return of their loved ones.
