Labour Minister signs MoU to create 5,000 overseas jobs for Ghanaians

Labour Minister Emmanuel Kwadwo Agyekum has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a United Arab Emirates-based company to facilitate the recruitment of up to 5,000 Ghanaian workers for employment in Dubai.

The agreement with Masa Depan Building Maintenance L.L.C. will cover jobs in construction, building maintenance and facilities management, with recruitment expected to begin with an initial batch of 500 workers.

The initiative is intended to expand employment opportunities for Ghanaians abroad while ensuring that recruitment is transparent and protects the rights and welfare of workers.

Under the agreement, 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.

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.

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 forms part of the Ministry’s efforts to connect Ghanaians to job opportunities beyond the country while strengthening protections against exploitation and unfair recruitment practices.

It is also 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.

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