The Migrant Labour General Workers' Union International (MLGWUI) has urged the Government of Ghana and other African governments to establish a dedicated State Labour Migration Rescue, Repatriation and Mass Evacuation Fund. This fund aims to support migrant workers who face abuse, exploitation, imprisonment, trafficking, deportation, and other emergencies abroad. The Union emphasizes that the proposed fund would provide a reliable source of state support for migrant workers in difficult circumstances.
According to MLGWUI, increasing international labour migration has created an urgent need for stronger protection mechanisms for Ghanaian and African migrant workers. Skilled, semi-skilled, and unskilled workers often encounter challenges linked to unethical employment agencies, unregulated recruitment agents, inadequate information, weak employment agreements, and insufficient pre-departure and post-arrival orientation. These challenges can lead to exploitation, human trafficking, and other forms of abuse.
The Union cited various cases involving alleged exploitation, human trafficking, migrant smuggling, fraudulent recruitment schemes, wrongful accusations, imprisonment, unexpected deportation, and deaths among migrant workers. In light of these challenges, MLGWUI argues that a State Labour Migration Rescue-Repatriation-Mass Evacuation Fund must be considered a priority. The Union believes that governments and private employment agencies should contribute to the fund to address these issues.
MLGWUI is also urging African governments, especially Ghana, to review existing labour migration policies and incorporate a dedicated funding mechanism for the rescue and repatriation of victimised migrant workers. While acknowledging efforts by governments to improve labour migration policies, the Union notes that financing emergency rescue and repatriation remains a significant gap. The proposed fund would help bridge this gap and provide essential support to migrant workers.
The Union proposes that governments consider reducing registration and annual renewal fees for private employment agencies. Lower fees could encourage unlicensed recruitment operators to formalise their activities and become registered agencies, thereby reducing unregulated recruitment practices. This move would help promote decent work and social protection for migrant workers.
In Ghana, the proposed fund has become particularly important in view of the country's growing interest in international labour migration and the Ghana Labour Exchange Initiative. MLGWUI calls for the State Labour Migration Rescue-Repatriation-Mass Evacuation Fund to be incorporated into Ghana's labour migration policy framework and reflected in new labour legislation. The Union also urges the government to consider the fund in future national budget allocations.
The Union emphasizes that migrant workers should be treated as essential workers who deserve full respect, decent work, and social protection in labour migration both home and abroad. By establishing the proposed fund and promoting stronger protection mechanisms, governments can help ensure that migrant workers receive the support they need.
Key points
- The Migrant Labour General Workers' Union International calls for a State Labour Migration Rescue, Repatriation and Mass Evacuation Fund to support migrant workers in emergencies.
- The proposed fund aims to provide a reliable source of state support for migrant workers caught in difficult circumstances abroad.
- MLGWUI urges Ghana and other African governments to review existing labour migration policies and incorporate a dedicated funding mechanism for victimised migrant workers.
