The Minister responsible for Labour, Jobs and Employment, Emmanuel Kwadwo Agyekum, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with UAE-based Masa Depan Building Maintenance L.L.C. to enable the phased recruitment of up to 5,000 Ghanaian workers for jobs in Dubai. The process will begin with an initial group of 500 workers.
The agreement seeks to expand access to international employment opportunities in construction, building maintenance and facilities management. It prioritises transparent recruitment processes and strong protections for Ghanaian workers.
Under the terms of the MoU, the Ministry will oversee recruitment in Ghana, verify job offers and employment contracts, facilitate skills testing and certification, and deliver pre-departure orientation covering UAE labour laws, workplace safety and workers’ rights.
The arrangement is also expected to reduce irregular recruitment practices, shield jobseekers from exploitative fees, and promote safe and orderly labour migration.
Masa Depan Building Maintenance L.L.C., represented by its Managing Director Junhong Deng, will employ the workers directly and take full responsibility for their wages, accommodation, insurance and other employment obligations. The company will also cover specified recruitment costs in the UAE, including visa and work permit fees, medical examinations, health insurance and air tickets from Ghana to the UAE.
To protect workers’ welfare, the agreement provides for occupational safety training, the supply of protective equipment, the appointment of a dedicated worker welfare officer, and a free grievance mechanism that allows employees to raise concerns without fear of retaliation.
A Joint Working Committee will monitor recruitment processes, employment conditions, workers’ welfare and the overall implementation of the agreement.
The partnership is expected to support skills development and transfer while aiding the reintegration of returning workers into Ghana’s labour market.
Recruitment and deployment will occur in phases, guided by the company’s workforce needs and the procedures outlined in the agreement. The arrangement will operate in line with applicable labour laws in both Ghana and the UAE, as well as existing bilateral frameworks on labour mobility.
The Ministry describes the agreement as part of broader efforts to link Ghanaians to overseas job opportunities while reinforcing safeguards against exploitation and unfair recruitment practices.
Source: Public Affairs Unit, Ministry of Labour, Jobs and Employment (MLJE).
