KIGALI, Rwanda – Representatives of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Common Market for East and Southern Africa (COMESA) Secretariat met with stakeholders and Member State officials to discuss the Free Movement Agenda and to validate a report on the economic and social impacts of labour and skills mobility in the regional bloc. 

The dialogue and validation workshop took place from 26-29 August 2024 in Kigali, Rwanda and evaluated progress made in the implementation of the COMESA Free Movement Agenda, including facilitating labour migration and the flow of goods, services and knowledge in the bloc. 

The meeting underscored how the COMESA Secretariat and Member States should tackle labour migration challenges in the region. Delegates also discussed the benefits of labour mobility for regional integration and economic development in line with COMESA aspirations and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

During the workshop, member states reaffirmed their ongoing commitment to facilitating the free movement of individuals and workers across the continent saying this will be achieved through various African Union and regional economic community cooperation agreements. 

COMESA stresses that smooth cross-border movement of labour and capital is vital for regional integration. “Although there have been negative political messages against migration over the past few years as manifested by xenophobic attacks against foreigners, the rise of modern slavery and the lack of respect for the rights of migrants, especially migrant workers, it is an established fact that an effective migration management system can lead to economic development and growth,” said Gabriel Masuku, COMESA Assistant Secretary-General. 

He added that economic growth can be achieved by enabling legal and orderly cross-border movement of people.

Protocols were established to ease the free movement of people, labour, services, and the rights of establishment and residence within member states, with the goal of creating a genuine common market. These protocols strive to remove restrictions on free movement and encourage cooperation among member states to enable the free movement and employment of citizens, thereby eliminating barriers. 

On her part, Director of IOM’s Special Liaison Office to the African Union and UNECA, Mariama Cisse, emphasized the important role migrant workers play at facilitating the flow of goods, finance, and knowledge between countries of origin and destination. She said that regional integration and the free movement of workers are essential for regional development. 

The meeting approved the report’s recommendations, calling on Member States to accelerate the implementation of the COMESA Visa Protocol by eliminating visa requirements. Additionally, it emphasized the need to develop a Model Labour Migration Policy to harmonize regulations, revise the Migration Strategy to enhance labour mobility, and set up Labour Market Information Systems. 

It also stressed the Regional Framework of Mutual Recognition of Qualifications and Skills and enhancing capacity-building programmes for stakeholders on labour and skills mobility, skills recognition, recruitment and labour market information systems.

IOM supported the meeting through the Joint Labour Migration Programme (JLMP) funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). 

For further information, please contact Alemayehu Seifeselassie at IOM Ethiopia, Tel: +251.11. 6611117 (Ext. 455), Mobile: +251.91.163-9082 Email: salemayehu@iom.int