Exploitation of overseas employees; a case of Ugandans working in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the exploitation of overseas employees with reference to Ugandans working in Saudi Arabia. The study was premised on three objectives: to find out the nature of the exploitation experienced by Ugandans working in Saudi Arabia, to identify the factors contributing to the exploitation of Ugandans working in Saudi Arabia, and to examine the impact of exploitation on Ugandans working in Saudi Arabia. The study employed a cross-sectional design, which involved a mixed study approach. Questionnaires and interviews were used for data collection. The population for the study comprised 100 Ugandan migrant workers in Saudi Arabia who participated in both qualitative and qualitative study approach. A simple random sampling technique was used to select the targeted sample size. The data were analyzed using the statistical package for social science (SSPS Version 23) for quantitative data and Atlas ti for qualitative data. The results revealed low wages, which are not commensurate with the work, a lack of access to safe and hygienic working conditions, a lack of access to medical care and health insurance, poor working conditions, and finally, sexual assault, to be among the types of exploitation faced by the Ugandan migrant workers. Additionally, the study found not being aware of their rights, failing to report exploitations to authorities, a lack of or little support from the home government and relevant ministries, and fear of reprisal by their employers to be among the factors contributing to their exploitation. Therefore, the study recommends that the government of Uganda should set up rehabilitation centers for the victims of exploitation when they return to the country so that they can rehabilitate them before they reunite with their families and should review their bilateral agreements on labour exports (the Memorandum of Understanding) with Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries to include in the human rights protection of Ugandans and the minimum wage pay. Furthermore, the government of Uganda through ministry of foreign affairs should regulate directly the working conditions of workers out there by monitoring the Uganda workers and involving the Saudi Arabia authorities in case of an exploitation case reported. And finally, the study recommends that the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development review the policy by which they issue licenses to the companies that take Ugandans to work abroad