IOM, HOA gov’ts, partners’ forum on migrants’ right, migration Mgt kicks off tomorrow

Addis Ababa, March, 2023 (FBC) – International Organization for Migration (IOM) and Government Ministers of Labour from 11 countries in East and Horn of Africa, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the East African Community, African Union Commission, other UN agencies, Technical Working Groups and donors will meet tomorrow in Addis Ababa, according to UN Migration.

The Forum is expected to bring together Labour Ministers from countries including Burundi, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda, under the platform of the  ‘Regional Ministerial Forum on Migration’ (RMFM) on Harmonizing Labour Migration Policies in East and Horn of Africa: A United Approach on Safe, Regular and Humane Labour Migration,

The Ministers will consider how to protect the fundamental human, labour, economic and social rights of migrant workers leaving the region and also migrating within, recognizing that while a significant number of migrants hope to migrate to Europe and the Gulf region, the majority of labour movements are intra-regional.

It is indicated that the Ministers will also seek look at establishing consensus on regional common approaches and priorities, as well as promoting social dialogue in the formulation and implementation of evidence-based, human rights-based, and gender-sensitive labour migration governance initiatives and frameworks, in order to foster greater labour mobility.

Technical Working Groups and policy experts will look at mapping skills gaps and labour shortages, bilateral labour agreements and ethical recruitment, diaspora and private sector engagement in addressing humanitarian and development challenges, harmonizing remittances policies, and expanding financial inclusion of migrants.

There are 13.7 million migrant workers in Africa and 3.6 million migrant workers in the region, according to IOM’s Regional Data Hub. East & Horn of Africa hosts among 3 of largest migration corridors in the region.

FBC understands that the RMFM will take place on March 13th to 17th. It is the 4th such Ministerial meeting to convene to discuss labour mobility and migration with leaders from across the region.

It is noted that the Forum is currently chaired by the Ethiopia’s Federal Government.