Labour Minister Signs UAE Agreement to Recruit 5,000 Ghanaian Workers

Labour Minister Emmanuel Kwadwo Agyekum has signed an agreement with a Dubai-based company to create employment opportunities for up to 5,000 Ghanaian workers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed with Masa Depan Building Maintenance L.L.C., covers jobs in construction, building maintenance and facilities management. Recruitment is expected to begin with an initial group of 500 workers before expanding in phases based on the company’s staffing needs.

Under the agreement, the Ministry responsible for Labour, Jobs and Employment will coordinate recruitment in Ghana, verify job requirements and employment contracts, and facilitate trade testing and skills certification.

The measures are intended to ensure a transparent recruitment process, prevent irregular practices and protect workers from excessive or abusive recruitment fees.

Masa Depan Building Maintenance L.L.C., represented by its Managing Director, Junhong Deng, will employ the recruited workers and take responsibility for their wages, accommodation, insurance and other employer obligations.

The company will also cover specified expenses in the UAE, including visa and work permit fees, medical examinations, health insurance and air tickets from Ghana to the UAE.

The MoU outlines additional safeguards for workers, including occupational safety training, protective equipment, a designated worker welfare officer and a free grievance mechanism. The mechanism is intended to allow employees to report concerns without fear of retaliation.

A Joint Working Committee will be established to monitor recruitment procedures, employment conditions, workers’ welfare and the implementation of the agreement.

The partnership forms part of the Ministry’s efforts to connect Ghanaians to jobs abroad while promoting safe and orderly labour migration and reducing the risk of exploitation.

The recruitment and deployment process will be carried out in stages, depending on the company’s workforce requirements and the procedures set out in the agreement.