Govt launches Code of Conduct to protect Ghanaian migrant workers

Ghanaian Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, Dr. Abdul-Rashid Pelpuo, has officially launched a Code of Conduct for Ethical Recruitment and a National Complaints Mechanism. This initiative is designed to safeguard Ghanaians pursuing employment opportunities abroad and enhance accountability within the recruitment sector.

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Labour migration continues to offer opportunities for many Ghanaians seeking employment and improved livelihoods, but stressed that such opportunities must be pursued in a manner that protects workers’ rights, dignity, and welfare.

The newly established code explicitly forbids recruitment agencies from withholding any portion of workers' salaries earned abroad. Furthermore, agencies are barred from charging applicants any recruitment-related fees at any stage of the process, as these costs are designated to be covered by employers. This framework was collaboratively developed by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), the Private Recruiters Association of Ghana, and other key stakeholders to combat unethical practices that harm migrant workers and damage Ghana's reputation.

Dr. Pelpuo emphasized that while labour migration offers significant opportunities for Ghanaians, it must be pursued with robust protections for workers' rights, dignity, and welfare. He acknowledged that thousands of Ghanaians migrate annually seeking better livelihoods and deserve full legal protection. However, he noted that the recruitment industry has been marred by deceptive practices, including false job offers, contract substitutions, excessive fees, denial of rights, and conditions akin to forced labor and trafficking.

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However, the recruitment industry, both locally and internationally, has been plagued by troubling practices, including deceptive job offers, contract substitution, excessive and unlawful recruitment fees, denial of workers’ rights, and, in some cases, conditions bordering on forced labour and trafficking.

The code establishes clear, enforceable standards for all parties involved in recruiting Ghanaians for both domestic and international employment. It provides practical guidance for Private Employment Agencies to operate with integrity and respect for workers' rights, reinforcing principles such as transparency, non-discrimination, prevention of exploitation, data protection, and adherence to the Employer Pays Principle. The National Complaints Mechanism offers an accessible channel for reporting grievances and seeking redress, strengthening accountability and demonstrating a collective commitment to protecting migrant workers from abuse and exploitation.

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Equally important is the National Complaints Mechanism, which provides a formal and accessible channel for workers and other stakeholders to report grievances and seek redress. This mechanism strengthens accountability within the recruitment sector and demonstrates our collective commitment to protecting migrant workers from abuse and exploitation.