Iraq firms lower pay for Ugandan recruits
Oct 28, 2007
HUNDREDS of Ugandans recruited to work in Iraq risk losing their jobs due to competition from neighbouring countries.
By Fortunate Ahimbisibwe
HUNDREDS of Ugandans recruited to work in Iraq risk losing their jobs due to competition from neighbouring countries.
While Ugandans have been paid between $900 and $1,200 a month, the recruiting agencies are now going for cheaper labour from Rwanda and Tanzania, where guards are willing to work for as low as $500.
The director of Dreshak International, which has so far taken about 2,000 Ugandans to Iraq, said they would revise the contracts of their Ugandan employees.
“The contract for $900 has expired. Those willing to sign a new contract are given a chance to work for $700â€, Alok Dheer told The New Vision.
“If they don’t take the offer, guards from neighbouring countries are willing to work for that amount.â€
The recruitment of guards for Iraq caused controversy in another African country. Last week, officials from a US-based security firm, Special Operations Consulting-Security Management Group, were deported from Namibia.
The British Guardian newspaper reported that the Namibian Cabinet recommended the closure of the local branch of the firm.
According to Namibian information minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, two American employees-Paul Grimes and Fredric Piry-had been given 24 hours to leave the country.
Earlier, the minister had warned citizens that they risked prosecution if they were recruited by the company.
Under Namibian law, it is illegal for citizens to participate in security or military activities in foreign countries without the written permission of the defence ministry.
HUNDREDS of Ugandans recruited to work in Iraq risk losing their jobs due to competition from neighbouring countries.
While Ugandans have been paid between $900 and $1,200 a month, the recruiting agencies are now going for cheaper labour from Rwanda and Tanzania, where guards are willing to work for as low as $500.
The director of Dreshak International, which has so far taken about 2,000 Ugandans to Iraq, said they would revise the contracts of their Ugandan employees.
“The contract for $900 has expired. Those willing to sign a new contract are given a chance to work for $700â€, Alok Dheer told The New Vision.
“If they don’t take the offer, guards from neighbouring countries are willing to work for that amount.â€
The recruitment of guards for Iraq caused controversy in another African country. Last week, officials from a US-based security firm, Special Operations Consulting-Security Management Group, were deported from Namibia.
The British Guardian newspaper reported that the Namibian Cabinet recommended the closure of the local branch of the firm.
According to Namibian information minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, two American employees-Paul Grimes and Fredric Piry-had been given 24 hours to leave the country.
Earlier, the minister had warned citizens that they risked prosecution if they were recruited by the company.
Under Namibian law, it is illegal for citizens to participate in security or military activities in foreign countries without the written permission of the defence ministry.