ILO Strengthens Employer Engagement in Labour Migration Governance in Uganda

Labour migration governance remains a critical issue in Uganda, with increasing migration flows both into and out of the country. Employers play a crucial role in shaping policies and practices that ensure fair treatment, protection of workers’ rights, and economic integration of migrant workers. To reinforce this role, the International Labour Organization (ILO), through the Better Regional Migration Management (BRMM) Programme, funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), conducted a workshop on January 16, 2025, to validate a report on “An assessment on the role of employers in improving labour migration governance in Uganda”.

This initiative, implemented in collaboration with the Federation of Uganda Employers (FUE), is part of a broader effort by the ILO to strengthen the engagement of employers in migration governance, ensuring their perspectives contribute to effective labour migration policies and frameworks.

The workshop brought together key stakeholders, including government officials, employers’ organizations, private recruitment agencies, trade unions in Uganda as well as the EHoA region, and migrant worker representatives. The study examined the existing legal and institutional frameworks governing labour migration in Uganda and sought to identify gaps, best practices, and actionable recommendations to enhance the role of employers in shaping migration policies.

The validation workshop provided a platform for stakeholders to critically review the study’s findings and ensure that the recommendations align with Uganda’s labour migration realities. The discussions emphasized the need to enhance employer engagement in migration policymaking, particularly through stronger collaboration between FUE and private recruitment agencies (PrEAs). Employers were encouraged to take a more proactive role in advocating for fair employment regulations and ensuring that recruitment practices align with international labour standards. Participants also discussed the importance of expanding FUE’s membership to include PrEAs, as these agencies play a significant role in facilitating labour migration, particularly for Ugandan workers migrating to the Middle East. Strengthening this relationship would allow for a more coordinated and responsible approach to labour migration management.

Another key area of focus was the legal and institutional frameworks governing labour migration in Uganda. Focusing on the Employment (Recruitment of Ugandan Migrant Workers Abroad) Regulations Act, 2021, the workshop emphasized the need to align it with best practices and international labour standards. Stakeholders also pointed out gaps in Uganda’s migration governance, particularly the lack of a well-structured consultation mechanism for employers to engage with policymakers. The workshop stressed the importance of establishing a formalized employer-government dialogue that would ensure that employers’ concerns and contributions are adequately reflected in the national migration policy. Additionally, discussions highlighted the need to enhance social dialogue mechanisms to strengthen the protection of migrant workers’ rights and promote ethical recruitment practices.

Another significant challenge identified was the lack of reliable labour migration data. Participants recommended that the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) should prioritize the collection, analysis and dissemination of labour migration data and initiate efforts toward harmonizing data-sharing mechanisms across government ministries and stakeholders.

By promoting collaboration among employers, policymakers, and social partners, the ILO is ensuring that labour migration policies are inclusive, effective, and aligned with international standards. Moving forward, the ILO and FUE will refine the study’s recommendations into a final assessment report and policy brief, which will serve as a strategic guide for improving employer participation in migration governance. These documents will be shared with relevant policymakers and stakeholders to facilitate the implementation of key recommendations.