The Ministry responsible for Labour, Jobs and Employment has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with UAE-based company Masa Depan Building Maintenance L.L.C. to facilitate the recruitment of up to 5,000 Ghanaian workers for employment in Dubai. The agreement, signed by Labour Minister Emmanuel Kwadwo Agyekum and the company, will create job opportunities for Ghanaians in construction, building maintenance and facilities management. Recruitment will commence with an initial batch of 500 workers, with subsequent phases determined by the company’s labour demands.
The initiative aims to expand access to overseas employment for Ghanaians while promoting transparent recruitment processes and safeguarding workers’ rights and welfare. Under the agreement, the Ministry will oversee recruitment activities in Ghana, verify the company’s labour requirements and employment contracts, and facilitate trade testing and skills certification for prospective employees. Successful applicants will also undergo pre-departure orientation to familiarise them with labour laws in the United Arab Emirates, workplace safety standards and their rights and responsibilities as employees.
These measures are designed to curb irregular recruitment practices, prevent exploitation through unlawful recruitment fees, and ensure safe, transparent 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 bear specified recruitment-related expenses in the UAE, including visa and work permit fees, medical examinations, health insurance and airfare from Ghana to the United Arab Emirates. To strengthen safeguards for workers, the agreement provides for occupational safety training and the provision of protective equipment.
It also requires arrangements for 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 be established to monitor recruitment procedures, employment conditions, workers’ welfare, and the implementation of the agreement.
The committee is tasked with creating a system that allows both parties to monitor the recruitment process and address any issues that may arise during the workers’ employment. This agreement is part of the Ministry’s initiative to connect Ghanaians with job opportunities abroad while enhancing protection against exploitation and unfair recruitment practices. It is also designed to facilitate skills transfer and create opportunities for returning workers to leverage their experience in Ghana’s labour market.
The cooperation will adhere to the relevant labour laws of both Ghana and the UAE, as well as to existing bilateral agreements on labour mobility. Recruitment and deployment will occur in phases, tailored to the specific workforce requirements of the company and following the procedures outlined in the memorandum of understanding. The initial phase will involve the recruitment of 500 workers, which will precede any further expansion towards a target of 5,000, with the process guided by the company’s needs and the agreed-upon recruitment safeguards.
