The African Union Commission (AUC) and partners have issued a call for inclusive policies prioritizing migrants' rights within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework. This call was made during a panel discussion titled "Migration under AfCFTA: Towards Human Rights-Compliant Mobility Governance in Africa".
The event was organized by the African Union (AU) - International Labour Organization (ILO) - International Organization for Migration (IOM) Joint Labour Migration Programme (JLMP) and other United Nations agencies as part of the African Business and Human Rights Forum 2023.
“As part of its effort to promote sustainable development rights on the continent, the AU has developed a draft Business and Human Rights Policy to, among other things, promote sustainable development and the implementation of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights,” said Ms. Odette Bolly, the JLMP Coordinator, representing Mr. Sabelo Mbokazi, the Head of Labour, Employment and Migration Division of AUC.
“The establishment of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in 2020 represents a significant milestone on the journey to African integration and development. The AfCFTA stands as a catalyst for new ways of doing business, producing, working, and trading within Africa and the rest of the world, which has implications for human rights,” she added, emphasizing the significance of AfCFTA in reshaping African trade and its implications for human rights, particularly the free movement of persons aspect.
The AfCFTA is a linchpin in Africa's development, offering the potential to reshape intra-African trade, boost economic growth, and enhance human development, including labour migration.
Participants at the event stressed the need to address potential human rights vulnerabilities faced by migrant workers, such as exploitation, discrimination, violence, and limited access to essential services.
"Migrants also stand to gain significantly from this initiative [AfCFTA], as it encourages cross-border labor mobility, leading to increased employment opportunities and better working conditions for migrant workers, fostering economic empowerment and social integration," said Ms. Abibatou Wane, Chief of Mission at IOM Ethiopia.
The promise of AfCFTA extends beyond economic progress; it encapsulates the well-being and dignity of all individuals. “We must work together to make the promise of AfCFTA a reality for everyone, including the migrants,” social entrepreneur Ms Na Ncube added.
Stakeholders at the event concluded by reaffirming the need to sustain the dialogue, forge stronger partnerships, and translate their commitments into actionable policies that safeguard the rights and dignity of migrant workers.
About the JLMP
The Joint Labour Migration Programme (JLMP) is a collaborative initiative between the African Union Commission (AUC), International Labour Organization (ILO), International Organization for Migration (IOM), Economic Commission for Africa (ECA). The JLMP's strategy emphasizes intra-African labor migration and aligns with the First 2023 Ten Year Plan of the AU's Agenda 2063 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It is currently implementing projects to enhanced rights- based governance for labor migration and mobility in Africa, ensuring gender-responsive regulations and protections for all migrant workers; increase availability and utilization of labour migration data & statistics by MS and RECs for evidence-based policy-making; and support MS to establish systems that promote safe, secure, and equal working conditions for migrant workers in formal and informal sectors with access to social protection and skill recognition.
For further information please contact:
Ms. Odette Bolly, JLMP Coordinator, African Union Commission, Email: OdetteB@africa-union.org
For media inquiries, please contact:
Mr. Innocent Vuga | Communication and Knowledge Management Officer -JLMP | African Union Commission | E-mail: vugai@african-union.org
Mr. Gamal Eldin Ahmed A. Karrar| Senior Communication Officer, Information and
Communication Directorate | African Union Commission | Tel: +251 115 517 700 |
E-mail: gamalk@africa-union.org | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Information and Communication Directorate, African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@africa-union.org
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