Uganda, IOM to probe workers' harassment in Gulf states

By Godfrey Olukya

KAMPALA, Uganda (AA) – The UN's International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Ugandan government have decided to investigate the torture and killing of Ugandan workers in the Gulf states.

Gender, Labor and Social Development Ministry spokesman Frank Mugabi said Thursday Uganda and the IOM will investigate human rights violations of the Ugandan migrant workers in Arab countries.

Each year, thousands of Ugandan youths are ferried to the Gulf states for jobs, mostly as housemaids and porters, he said, adding currently there are about 40,000 Ugandans in the Gulf states.

At least 30 Ugandans, according to the ministry, are killed and several others maimed each year by their employers.

Mugabi said Gender, Labor and Social Development Minister Frank Tumwebaze Wednesday evening met with IOM Regional Director Mohammed Abdiker to discuss harassment of workers in the Gulf states, interventions to strengthen safety, and harmonization of the country policies for the labor migration sector.

The minister also called on the IOM to play a leading role to ensure the Gulf states respect the rights and freedoms of migrant workers, the spokesman added.