Interpol reduces time for clearing migrant workers

Interpol reduced the turnaround time for processing Certificates of Good Conduct from three weeks to five days, easing the processing of documents for migrant workers.

The Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development told External Labour Recruitment Agencies in a January 11 letter.

“Further, we are in receipt of a communication from the Ag. Director Interpol and International Relations informing us that the turnaround time for processing Certificates of Good Conduct has been reduced from three weeks to five days and efforts are being made to completely digitize the process to include online booking,” Aggrey D. Kibenge, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, said in the letter.

“The permission to use payment receipts is therefore a temporary measure.”

The permanent secretary says recruiting companies should begin document processing for migrant workers.

According to the letter, at the time of departure of the migrant workers, the External Employment Helpdesk at the airport shall not clear any migrant worker not possessing a valid Interpol letter.

Labour recruiting companies have welcomed the move, saying that this will reduce delays in the deployment of Ugandans abroad for jobs.

In December 2020, the Ministry of Gender officially reopened the labour externalization sector after months of closure due to COVID-19 induced lockdown and restrictions.