By Editorial,
Ugandan migrant workers in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia face ongoing challenges regarding their rights, with some labor companies continuing to exploit workers by confiscating their passports.
A significant step has been taken in the UAE, where labor companies are now barred from withholding workers’ passports, with a fine of five million shillings imposed for non-compliance.
In Saudi Arabia, a similar reform was introduced in December 2020, prohibiting employers from retaining workers’ passports and medical insurance cards without written consent.
However, reports indicate that despite these regulations, violations continue, with 33,869 cases flagged between 2023-2024, though the number of passport confiscations remains undisclosed. END