Ghana's Labour Minister, Emmanuel Kwadwo Agyekum, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Masa Depan Building Maintenance L.L.C., a United Arab Emirates-based company, to facilitate the recruitment of up to 5,000 Ghanaian workers for employment in Dubai. The agreement, which was signed on October 12, 2026, aims to expand employment opportunities for Ghanaians abroad while ensuring that recruitment is transparent and protects the rights and welfare of workers.
The MoU will cover jobs in construction, building maintenance, and facilities management, with recruitment expected to begin with an initial batch of 500 workers. The Ministry responsible for Labour, Jobs and Employment will coordinate recruitment in Ghana, verify job demands and employment contracts, and facilitate trade testing and skills certification. This initiative is part of the Ministry's efforts to connect Ghanaians to job opportunities beyond the country while strengthening protections against exploitation and unfair recruitment practices.
Under the agreement, Masa Depan Building Maintenance L.L.C., represented by its Managing Director, Junhong Deng, will directly employ the recruited workers and assume responsibility for their wages, accommodation, insurance, and other employer obligations. The company will also cover specified recruitment-related expenses in the UAE, including visa and work permit fees, medical examinations, health insurance, and air tickets from Ghana to the UAE.
To safeguard workers during their employment, the agreement provides for occupational safety training, the provision of protective equipment, the appointment of a worker welfare officer, and a grievance mechanism through which employees can report concerns without charge or fear of retaliation. A Joint Working Committee will also be established to monitor recruitment procedures, employment conditions, workers' welfare, and the implementation of the agreement.
The partnership is expected to support skills transfer and help returning workers reintegrate into Ghana's labour market. The agreement will operate within the applicable labour laws of Ghana and the UAE, as well as existing bilateral cooperation arrangements on labour mobility. Recruitment and deployment will take place in phases, depending on the company's specific workforce requirements and the procedures outlined in the MoU.
The Ministry will also organise pre-departure orientation for successful applicants on UAE labour laws, workplace safety, and workers' rights. These measures are expected to help prevent irregular recruitment practices, curb the charging of abusive recruitment fees, and promote safe and orderly labour migration. The initiative has been welcomed as a step towards creating more job opportunities for Ghanaians and protecting their rights abroad.
The MoU is a significant step towards achieving the government's goal of creating more job opportunities for Ghanaians. With the UAE's economy offering a range of opportunities for skilled and unskilled workers, the agreement is expected to benefit many Ghanaians seeking employment abroad. The Labour Minister has expressed his commitment to ensuring that the recruitment process is transparent and fair.
Key points
- The MoU aims to create 5,000 jobs for Ghanaians in Dubai.
- The agreement provides for occupational safety training and a grievance mechanism for workers.
- The partnership is expected to support skills transfer and help returning workers reintegrate into Ghana's labour market.
