A group of Ugandans who previously worked in Iraq between 20025 to date has asked to US government to compensate their payments that accrued as a result of underpayment during their time of service.
The Special Returnees Association(SRA) , a group that brings together all Ugandans that worked in Iraq and Afghanistan from 2005 to date claims that they were underpaid by the different US security contractors that recruited them to offer security services to the US government.
“We received contracts from the United States Department of Defense (DOD) to offer security services for force protection efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan on behalf of the USA. They were contracted by EODT, SOC, and other companies operating in Iraq, as well as Askar Security Services Limited, a Ugandan company acting as a source of employees for EODT. Their belief that this mission would bring about positive change quickly turned into disappointment and despair,” said Victor Musinguzi, the RSA chairperson.
He explained that before leaving Uganda, they received letters of authorization from the United States Department of Defense outlining clear working conditions and benefits that they would accrue.
According to Musinguzi, these terms included an annual payment on a rate of GS-12 and GS-13 .
The GS-12 and GS-13 payment rate which is uniform for all civil servants under the same category would translate to an annual payment of $ 56, 999 to $ 80, 000 per year.
“However, upon reaching our areas of work, they were forced into signing subsequent employment contracts with significantly less favorable conditions and they ended up being paid salaries ranging from $ 4800 to $ 12,000 per year,” Musinguzi said.
“ Those that refused to sign the new employment contracts having realized the cheating and exploitation involved, they were sacked, their contracts terminated and immediately deported back home. This act left many of our members in fear and with no option but to sign the new contracts with these US Security companies. The highest paid among them earned a mere USD 1,000 per month, while the lowest paid earned a meager $ 350, both falling far below the agreed terms in the original letters of authorization.”
According to the Iraq returnees, on top of that, promises of medical care to address the physical and mental anguish suffered during our work turned out to be empty rhetoric and that upon return to Uganda, these promises were abandoned, leaving them to endure the lingering effects of their guarding mission and bear the burden of heavy medical bills.
“Many have been forced to sell off their assets and live in debt as they struggle to cover the costs of treating injuries sustained during their service. According to our contracts from the Department Of Defence, we were entitled to resuscitative care where we were supposed to be fully reexamined upon completion of our contract so that in case of any injuries, we are treated until one would bet better. This all just ended in papers. “
“As a result of these unfulfilled promises and exploitative practices, the majority of our members are living in extreme poverty and enduring mental anguish. Shockingly, some are even on suicide watch, plagued by the despair resulting from the broken dreams and exploitation they experienced while risking their lives in the hope of a better future.”
Compensation
The Ugandan returnees from Iraq says they are seeking compensation for their due wages owed to them for the services offered to the United States government under the Department Of Defence contract.
“The deductions made from our wages were completely illegal, unfounded in law, and unjust, in violation of Article 9 of the Protection of Wages Convention 1949 .This article clearly prohibits any deductions from wages for the purpose of obtaining or retaining employment. In addition, Article 8 (1) of the same convention stipulates that deductions from wages should only be permitted under conditions prescribed by national laws or regulations, or as determined by collective agreement or arbitration award. Furthermore, Article 8 (2) emphasizes the importance of informing workers, in the most appropriate manner, about the conditions under which such deductions may be made.”
“Based on these international laws, the deductions made from the wages of our members were completely illegal and unjust, causing significant harm to the affected individuals. As a result, we demand for the restitution of our unlawfully withheld wages.”
Workers MP, Usher Wilson Owere said asked the US Embassy in Uganda to intervene in the matter.
“The role these people played in Iraq and Afghanistan was for the interest of the US government and it must be compensated. The US is talking about human rights but what they are doing is abuse of your rights,” Owere said.
“The US Embassy in Uganda should inform their government back home of this. These are over 200,000 Ugandans who feel cheated. We want to negotiate and sort this out. I want them to sort this out or else it will spoil their name. This is not small money.”
