A technical tripartite workshop on formulating skills partnerships for labour migration in the East & Horn of Africa (EHoA)

Labour migration in Africa is largely intra-regional (80%)1 and mainly characterized by the migration of low-skilled workers. While most international cooperation regarding free movement of people focuses on highly skilled individuals, the Global Skills Partnerships pays particular attention to low and medium skilled migrants. Moreover, almost all African countries are either origin, transit or destination country or all three. Yet migration governance and management systems in many countries are yet to fully exploit the socioeconomic benefits of labour migration. Migrant workers’ pursuit for better economic opportunities are still characterized mostly by irregular movements, which are not informed by the labour market needs; and systems which do not have in place mechanisms for identifying and fully utilizing migrant workers potentials. 

Skills development partnership for labour migration can contribute to improved utilizing of migrant workers potential in both countries of origin and destination. As such, skills dimensions of labour migration are evolving from one sided migration schemes targeting skilled workers to skills partnerships linked closely to labour market needs and involving more stakeholders. Skills partnerships have triple benefits to all who are participating in it (country of origin, country of destination and migrant workers).  

The ILO’s Better Regional Migration Management (BRMM) programme, funded by the UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, is organizing a technical tripartite workshop on formulating skills partnerships for labour migration in the East and Horn of Africa (EHoA) from 20 to 22 June 2023, in Kampala, Uganda. The ILO implemented the BRMM Phase I project from September 2021 to June 2022 and laid a foundation in the area of LM statistics, skills, social protection and engagement of social partners in policy development.  Currently, through BRMM Phase II, the ILO aims to strengthen the capacities of countries in East and Horn of Africa to govern labour migration by using evidence-based policies, enhancing migrant workers’ qualifications and skills, and actively engaging the social partners for improved development outcomes.  

The objective of the workshop from a medium to long-term perspective is to enhance intraregional and interregional skills partnership for labour migration. 

The Workshop will enable participants to: 

• Deepen their understanding on skills partnerships for labour migration learning from other regions and programmes. 
• Identify existing opportunities for and challenges to effective skills partnerships and its contribution to improving labour migration governance.
• Share experiences about the opportunity for facilitating informed regular labour migration within the EHoA region. 
• Explore and consider different options available for skills partnerships within EHoA member states; and 
• Reinforce peer learning about Skills partnership tools and approaches for possible scaling up adaptation or and replication.

The growing interest in skills dimensions and labour migration in africa

• The African Union (AU) has developed a policy framework that aims to enhance the positive impacts of labour migration on African countries, including the promotion of skills development and the protection of migrant workers' rights. 
• The AU, has worked on the development of the Continental Qualifications Framework (CFQ). This framework aims to enhance the recognition of qualifications across African countries, including those obtained by migrant workers. It promotes skills partnerships and facilitates the mobility of skilled labour within the continent.
• Regional Economic Communities (RECs) such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the East African Community (EAC) have implemented initiatives to facilitate the movement of skilled workers within their respective regions. These initiatives aim to enhance labor mobility, address skills shortages, and promote economic integration.
• The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) commits to advance support for the development and implementation of the IGAD Youth Skilling and Employment initiative for the Region through the IGAD Declaration on Labour, Employment and Labour migration.

What have the ilo already achieved on skills dimensions of labour migration?

The ILO aims to promote effective cooperation, skills development, and knowledge transfer between countries of origin and destination. Its works contribute to enhancing the positive impacts of labour migration on individuals and economies, ensuring that migrant workers have access to decent work and opportunities for skills enhancement and career advancement, among others the ILO:

• Provided technical, financial and material assistance to a number of countries on skills development for migrant workers, including Ethiopia, Morocco, the Philippines, and Thailand.
• The ILO promoted the recognition of qualifications of migrant workers through a number of initiatives, including the publication of a report on the topic and the organization of an event on the recognition of qualifications of migrant workers in the European Union.
• The ILO launched a new website on skills for migrant workers. The website provides information and resources on the skills dimensions of labour migration. It includes information on the ILO's work on the topic, as well as resources for governments, employers, and workers.