Burundian Minister of Foreign Affairs Edouard Bizimana issued a communiqué on 10 October 2026, announcing a suspension of licensing for recruitment agencies managing migrant workers. Minister Edouard Bizimana stated, "A compter du 12 décembre 2026, le ministère suspend la réception de nouveaux dossiers de demande d’agrément des agences de recrutement de la main-d’œuvre burundaise à destination de l’étranger jusqu’à nouvel ordre."
He emphasized that agencies must ensure transparency regarding employment conditions, noting, "Aucune agence ne peut procéder au déploiement massif de travailleurs burundais auprès d’une « méga-company » ou par l’intermédiaire de celle-ci lorsque le dispositif ne permet pas d’identifier clairement l’employeur effectif de chaque travailleur, le lieu réel de travail, la nature du poste, la rémunération, les conditions de logement et de transport ainsi que le mécanisme de prise en charge des plaintes et de protection des travailleurs." Declaring the policy shift, Minister Edouard Bizimana added, "Le travailleur migrant burundais n’est pas une marchandise."
New Licensing Suspension Measures
Recruitment agencies currently operating with established irregularities in their placement, monitoring, or recruitment processes face an immediate suspension. Minister Edouard Bizimana confirmed this measure took effect on 10 October 2026 and will remain in place until further notice. These agencies must cease all activities related to the deployment of workers until the government completes a review of their compliance.
The broader administrative freeze on the reception of new license applications for recruitment firms is scheduled to commence on 12 December 2026. This secondary policy halts the intake of all new dossiers submitted to the ministry for authorization. Officials in Bujumbura intend for these measures to address existing oversight gaps in the management of Burundian migrant workers destined for foreign employment.
Documented Abuse and Exploitation
Vianney Ndayisaba, coordinator of Aluchoto, identified a pattern of severe risks facing Burundian nationals employed abroad. According to data documented by Aluchoto between January 2025 and May 2026, 12 women were killed while working in Oman. During this same 17-month period, the organization recorded that over 150 Burundian migrant workers suffered mistreatment, while more than 90 individuals were detained illegally.
Aluchoto further reported 74 cases of fraud and extortion involving recruitment agencies during this timeframe. Vianney Ndayisaba criticized the financial practices employed by some of these firms, describing how worker earnings are frequently intercepted. "Certains perçoivent 60% de la rémunération et les 40% reviennent à l’agence qui les recrutés. C’est de l’exploitation, une sorte de trafic des êtres humains," Vianney Ndayisaba stated. These findings reflect the conditions that prompted the government to initiate a review of agency compliance and oversight mechanisms.
