Ugandans seeking employment abroad continue to face challenges related to skills requirements and the cost of travelling for work, according to Boaz Ahabwe of Hays Recruitment Experts Limited.
Ahabwe said the company works with job seekers pursuing opportunities in overseas markets, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar and Kuwait, where some employers offer benefits such as accommodation, transport and medical cover.
However, he identified skills gaps and limited finances as obstacles for candidates seeking to take up international employment opportunities.
Ahabwe said some applicants struggle to meet employers' requirements, while others lack the financial resources needed to complete the process of securing overseas employment.
The challenges highlight the importance of matching applicants' qualifications and experience with available vacancies, as well as understanding the costs associated with recruitment and travel.
For prospective migrant workers, the terms of an employment offer, including salary, accommodation, transport and medical benefits, can significantly affect the overall value of a job.
However, these benefits vary by employer and contract and should not be assumed to be available with every overseas vacancy.
Ahabwe said Hays conducts due diligence to identify genuine employers in the markets where it operates.
“We conduct due diligence on behalf of candidates to identify genuine companies in the UAE, Qatar and Kuwait,” he said.
Verifying an employer is an important step for job seekers considering work abroad, particularly before making payments, signing contracts or travelling.
Prospective workers also need to establish whether a recruitment agency is properly licensed, understand who is responsible for travel and other recruitment-related costs, and obtain clear information about their employment terms.
The extent of the checks conducted by individual recruitment firms, however, may vary. Job seekers should independently confirm relevant details through the appropriate authorities.
Ahabwe said the company had operated in the recruitment industry for about a decade and had seen some candidates improve their financial circumstances after securing employment.
“Given our experience of a decade in this industry, Hays has impacted lots of lives, and we have witnessed candidates and Ugandans grow from one level to another in financial establishment,” he said.
While overseas employment can provide access to new income opportunities, workers' experiences depend on factors such as wages, contract conditions, living expenses and the reliability of employers.
Prospective migrant workers therefore need sufficient information to assess whether an offer meets their expectations and whether the costs and risks associated with relocation are manageable.
Government oversight remains an important consideration in Uganda's labour externalisation sector, where licensing, recruitment practices and the protection of migrant workers are relevant to the integrity of overseas employment arrangements.
Ahabwe's specific position on government regulation was not available in the remarks provided for this story.
Further comment from the company and the relevant government authorities would help establish how recruitment agencies are monitored, how complaints are handled and what safeguards are available to Ugandans who encounter problems while working abroad.
For job seekers, verifying recruitment agencies and employers, reviewing contracts carefully and confirming the requirements for a particular vacancy are important steps before committing to overseas employment.