The Migrant Labour General Workers’ Union International (MLGWUI) has called on African governments, particularly the Government of Ghana, to establish a dedicated State Labour Migration Rescue, Repatriation and Mass Evacuation Fund to support migrant workers who face abuse, exploitation, imprisonment, trafficking, deportation and other emergencies abroad.
The Union said the proposed fund would provide a reliable source of state support for migrant workers caught in difficult or dangerous circumstances in destination countries, particularly where private organisations, churches or individuals lack the financial resources to intervene.
In a statement issued in Accra and signed by Comrade Justice Baako Ntarmah, General Secretary and Head of Education and International Relations of MLGWUI, the Union said increasing international labour migration had created an urgent need for stronger protection mechanisms for Ghanaian and African migrant workers.
According to the union, skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled workers travelling abroad often encounter challenges linked to unethical employment agencies, unregulated recruitment agents, inadequate information, weak employment agreements and insufficient pre-departure and post-arrival orientation.
The statement also cited cases involving alleged exploitation, human trafficking, migrant smuggling, fraudulent recruitment schemes, wrongful accusations and imprisonment, unexpected deportation and deaths among migrant workers.
“State Labour Migration Rescue-Repatriation-Mass Evacuation Fund must be considered as a priority,” the Union stated, arguing that governments and private employment agencies are increasingly participating in international labour migration as part of efforts to address unemployment and underemployment.
Call for review of labour migration policies
MLGWUI is 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.
The Union acknowledged efforts by African governments to improve labour migration policies, decent work and social protection, but said the financing of emergency rescue and repatriation remained an important gap.
“One unaddressed challenge which remains a current focus of the MLGWUI is State Labour Migration Rescue-Repatriation-Mass Evacuation Fund(ing) for victimised migrant workers,” the statement said.
The Union further proposed that governments consider reducing registration and annual renewal fees for private employment agencies.
It argued that lower fees could encourage unlicensed recruitment operators to formalise their activities and become registered agencies, thereby helping to reduce unregulated recruitment practices.
Ghana Labour Exchange Initiative
In Ghana, the Union said the proposed fund had become particularly important in view of the country’s growing interest in international labour migration and the Ghana Labour Exchange Initiative.
MLGWUI called for the State Labour Migration Rescue-Repatriation-Mass Evacuation Fund to be incorporated into Ghana’s labour migration policy framework and, where appropriate, reflected in new labour legislation before parliamentary passage and presidential assent.
The Union also urged the government to consider the fund in future national budget allocations.
“MLGWUI prays that each African State, especially Ghana, can add this suggested State Labour Migration Victimised Migrant Workers’ Fund in her next Ministry of Finance’s Budget presentation,” the statement said.
Migrant workers should be treated as essential workers
The union also called for greater recognition of migrant workers and stronger protection of their rights.
“Migrant Workers must be recognised as Essential Workers who deserve full respect, decent work and social protection in labour migration both home and abroad,” MLGWUI stated.
