Uganda and Saudi Arabia have renewed a bilateral agreement that allows resumption of labour export to the to the gulf country.
The agreement was suspended in December last year following an uproar over alleged mistreatment and torture of Ugandan migrant workers.
Some Ugandans migrants were reported to have committed suicide over alleged mistreatment in Saudi Arabia.
Uganda’s Labour Minister Betty Amongi said on Thursday that both governments had agreed protect the rights of migrant workers .
In the new agreement, Saudi Arabia employers will no longer unilaterally deduct salaries and Ugandan workers will have recourse to competent authorities in cases of contractual disputes
Both countries will also establish a mechanism to resolve issues on the welfare and rights of domestic workers.
“Both parties are to take legal measures against employers and recruitment agencies for any violation of laws, rules and regulations in either country,” Ms Amongi said.
At least 150,000 Ugandans are living and working in Saudi Arabia with majority of them engaged as domestic workers, according to local media.
