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

The Labour Minister of Ghana, Emmanuel Kwadwo Agyekum, has formalised a pact with a Dubai-based firm to create opportunities for 5,000 Ghanaian workers to work abroad. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed today with Masa Depan Building Maintenance L.L.C. will facilitate employment in construction, building maintenance, and facilities management sectors. Ghanaian workers are expected to begin their recruitment journey with a batch of 500 individuals, marking the start of a phased deployment strategy.

The primary aim of this agreement is to broaden employment horizons for Ghanaians working overseas, while ensuring the integrity of recruitment processes. The Ministry of Labour, Jobs and Employment will oversee the recruitment in Ghana, verifying job demands and employment contracts. It will also handle trade testing, skills certification, and pre-departure orientation for successful applicants, educating them on UAE labour laws, workplace safety, and workers’ rights.

Masa Depan Building Maintenance L.L.C., led by Managing Director Junhong Deng, will directly employ the recruited workers, ensuring they receive fair wages, accommodation, insurance, and other benefits stipulated in the MoU. The company will also bear specific recruitment-related costs in the UAE such as visa and work permit fees, medical examinations, health insurance, and air tickets for the journey from Ghana to the UAE.

To ensure worker safety and welfare during employment, the MoU mandates occupational safety training, provision of protective gear, appointment of a worker welfare officer, and a grievance mechanism for reporting concerns without fear of repercussions. Moreover, a Joint Working Committee will oversee recruitment procedures, employment conditions, workers’ welfare, and the overall implementation of the agreement.

This partnership aligns with the Ministry's broader strategy to connect Ghanaians to global job opportunities while reinforcing protections against exploitation and unfair recruitment practices. It is also anticipated to facilitate skills transfer and aid returning workers in reintegrating into Ghana's labour market. The MoU will function within Ghana's and the UAE's labour laws, as well as under existing bilateral cooperation on labour mobility.