Burundi’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has suspended the reception of new accreditation applications from agencies recruiting Burundian workers for employment abroad, following allegations of legal violations and growing concerns over the treatment of migrant workers.
In a statement issued earlier this week, the ministry said it had observed irregularities among some officially accredited recruitment agencies, particularly in the recruitment, placement, deployment and monitoring of Burundian migrant workers.
The ministry warned that these practices could jeopardize workers’ rights, safety and working conditions, violating commitments made by recruitment agencies as well as guidelines and instructions issued by the authorities.
Effective December 12, 2026, the ministry will stop receiving new applications for the accreditation of agencies seeking to recruit Burundian workers for overseas employment. The suspension will remain in force until further notice.
The decision follows recent allegations by the president of Burundi’s Senate that some recruitment agencies were violating laws governing the recruitment of migrant workers. Last week, civil society organizations and the Senate also raised concerns about alleged abuses in the recruitment of Burundians for jobs in Arab countries.
Agencies found in violation face suspension
In addition to halting new accreditation applications, the ministry announced that recruitment agencies found to have committed irregularities in recruiting, placing or monitoring Burundian migrant workers would be suspended until further notice, effective from the date of the statement.
The ministry also prohibited accredited agencies from sending or placing workers in so-called “mega-companies” or large enterprises unless key employment details have been clearly established and approved by the relevant authorities.
These include the identity of the actual employer, the job position, contractual terms, the actual workplace, supervision arrangements and measures to ensure workers’ protection and follow-up.
The ministry further banned the mass deployment of Burundian workers to or through such companies when the arrangements do not clearly identify each worker’s employer, workplace, job description, salary, accommodation and transport conditions, as well as mechanisms for handling complaints and protecting workers.
Workers urged to verify recruitment arrangements
The ministry called on migrant workers and prospective job seekers to exercise caution before accepting overseas employment.
It urged them not to hand over personal documents, pay any fees or make travel arrangements until they have verified the recruitment agency, employment contract, actual employer and placement conditions.
The ministry stressed that recruitment and placement operations must prioritize securing lawful, decent, transparent and safe employment, alongside effective protection for Burundian workers abroad.
It said the measures were intended to strengthen the protection of migrant workers, improve transparency in recruitment operations and ensure compliance with applicable regulations.
Burundi has experienced a growing outflow of workers in recent years, with many young people seeking better employment opportunities and working conditions abroad.
However, reports of deaths, alleged mistreatment and inhumane working conditions in some destination countries––mostly in Gulf countries–– have raised concerns about the risks faced by Burundians seeking jobs overseas.
The latest measures signal a tightening of government oversight of recruitment agencies as authorities seek to address alleged abuses and ensure that Burundian workers are placed in secure and properly regulated employment.
