Nairobi, Kenya - Key players from Kenya and Uganda's government and private sectors discussed labour migration issues, stressing the necessity for creating and implementing a programme to safeguard migrant workers' welfare. During a training and knowledge exchange in Nairobi from August 13-15, 2024, delegates emphasized the difficulties encountered by migrants and the importance of establishing protective measures for them.

Migrant Welfare Programmes allow governments of countries of origin to provide additional welfare benefits and services to their citizens working abroad. The programmes also supplement the social security benefits and compensation that are available through other national and bilateral arrangements.

Similar to other African nations, many Kenyans and Ugandans look for jobs abroad. Such programmes are vital in safeguarding their welfare and dignity. The meeting emphasized that programmes for migrant welfare safeguard the rights of labour migrants through fair wages, safe working conditions, and protection from exploitation and abuse.

These initiatives play a key role in ensuring migrants have access to healthcare, psychosocial support, and other essential services. Additionally, a well-structured welfare programme can enhance the stability and reliability of financial and cultural remittances.

The delegates also mentioned that providing support for reintegration and opportunities to apply acquired skills in local markets, boosts local economic growth and innovation.

Delegates from the Ministries of Labour and Skills Development, Social Protection, Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Attorney General's Office, together with Trade Unions, Private Recruitment Agencies, and Employers' Associations, deliberated on the Programme.

Representatives from the Government of the Philippines and International Organization for Migration (IOM) also shared their expertise in migrant protection, welfare support and labour mobility.

“Access to social protection services and benefits is a basic right. However, despite various bilateral and multilateral measures put in place by most Governments to extend social protection, millions of migrant workers, continue to face various legal and practical challenges,” said Faisal Sharif, IOM Deputy Chief of Mission and Acting Head of IOM Kenya at the opening of the meeting.

He added that these hindrances are particularly challenging for migrants from Africa who struggle to access social protection and welfare support in destination countries. The primary reasons include exclusion, deficient recruitment arrangements, inadequate exit and return provisions, and limited social protection coverage in Africa. Without adequate social protection coverage in other countries, migrants are more vulnerable to exploitation and mistreatment.

As most African countries are grappling with issues related to the protection of migrants, it is important to learn from successful examples and delegates from the Government of the Philippines shared their exemplary approach that has led to improved safeguards for labour migrants in the Gulf States. 

In working to overcome this issue, IOM under the Joint Labour Migration Programme (JLMP) has developed a training manual. It also offers capacity-building assistance to African Union member states to establish and carry out effective programmes aimed at migrant welfare throughout Africa.

This initiative was made possible through the collaboration of the Governments of Kenya, Uganda, and the Philippines with funding support from IOM’s development partners, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) supporting the JLMP, and the United States Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM) supporting the Africa Regional Migration Programme.  

For further information, please contact Alemayehu Seifeselassie at IOM Ethiopia, Email: salemayehu@iom.int