Dubai recruitment opens for 500 Ghanaian workers, with flights and permits paid

Ghana has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to place up to 5,000 Ghanaian workers in jobs in Dubai, with the employer covering flights, work permits and accommodation. The deal was signed by Labour Minister Emmanuel Kwadwo Agyekum and Masa Depan Building Maintenance L.L.C., represented by managing director Junhong Deng.

Key facts

• Up to 5,000 workers covered by the agreement, starting with an initial batch of 500
• Jobs span construction, building maintenance and facilities management
• Employer pays wages, accommodation, insurance, work permits, medical examinations and air tickets from Ghana
• Ghana's labour ministry will oversee recruitment and check employment contracts
• Salaries, application dates and deployment schedules have not been disclosed

What does the agreement cover?

The arrangement covers construction, building maintenance and facilities management roles and provides a government-supervised route into overseas employment. Recruitment is expected to begin with 500 workers and expand in phases according to the company's staffing requirements. The agreement does not mean that all 5,000 positions have already been filled.

Under the reported terms, the employer is responsible for wages, accommodation and insurance. The employer also covers specified recruitment expenses, including work permits, medical examinations and air tickets from Ghana.

What role does the Ghana government play?

Ghana's labour ministry will oversee recruitment, check employment contracts and coordinate skills assessments, according to a report published on 12 October. The report did not specify the signing date.

Workers would receive preparation on UAE employment rules and workplace safety before departure. A welfare officer and complaints process are also envisaged.

What is still unknown?

Pay levels, required qualifications, application procedures and the timing of deployment have not been established. The agreement is a framework for hiring, rather than an individual employment contract or an announcement that applications are open.

What this means for travellers

The arrangement places government checks between prospective workers and the overseas employer. Those checks could help applicants understand their contracts before travelling, although their effectiveness will depend on implementation.

No application dates or deployment schedule have been announced. Anyone interested in the scheme will need to wait for further details on how to apply and when the first 500 positions will be filled.