March 16, 2023
Labour ministers from 11 countries across East and Horn of Africa gathered in Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa, for a five-day meeting to discuss the protection of the rights of migrant workers, and how to manage migration for sustainable development and economic growth.
The ministers hope to reach an agreement on regional common approaches and priorities, as well as “promote social dialogue in the formulation and implementation of evidence-based, human rights-based, and gender-sensitive labor migration governance initiatives and frameworks,” according to the International Organization for Migration.
The meeting includes Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, the United Republic of Tanzania, Burundi, Djibouti, Rwanda, Uganda, and Eritrea:
According to the IOM’s Regional Data Hub, Africa has 13.7 million migrant workers, 3.6 million of them from the East and Hon of Africa.
The East and Horn of Africa are home to three of the region’s busiest migration corridors.
The ministers will discuss labor mobility and migration with regional leaders. The RMFM is being organized and coordinated by the IOM/UN Migration Regional Office for East and Horn of Africa, with funding from the UK’s Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCDO) under the Better Regional Migration Management (BRMM) program.
“The RMFM has great visions and goals that must be translated into concrete actions by member states, regional economic communities, and partners alike to ensure that no one falls behind,” said Muferihat Kamil, Minister of Labour, Skills, and RMFM Chairperson.