On the, 25^th of January 2023, the African Union Commission organized a parallel session on Strengthening labor market and migration information systems with real-time data and new methodologies during the 3^rd International Forum for Migration Statistics held at the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (UNECLAC).

The session was chaired by Mr. Sabelo Mbokazi, Head of Labour employment and migration division, department of health, humanitarian affairs and social development at the Africa Union Commission. In his address, he noted that there is need to strengthen systems, tools and methodologies for addressing future skills needs more especially on strengthening/establishing well-functioning labour market information systems to strengthen the evidence-base needed for making decisions and development of policies.

The parallel session comprised of 5 panelists’ drawn from Africa Union Commission, International Organization for Migration (IOM), the National Migration Institute of Dominican Republic, Statistics Indonesia (Badan Pusat Statistik (BPS)) and The Burning Glass Institute. The session focused on new approaches to data collection, migration data innovations and technology-driven solutions, new concepts, and methodologies for improving the availability of migration data as well as sharing of good practices. 

They panellists shared their insights on strengthening information systems and statistics capacities in Africa, strengthening immigration systems for the future of work focusing on Job opportunities for migrants and refugees in Chile, Progress of the Program for Periodic Measurement of the Demand for Migrants workers (PMPDMOE), Opportunities at the Intersection of Labour Market Information and Migration Policy, and Understanding International Labour Migrants with an Evidence of Migrant Vulnerability from Indonesia.

It was noted that, in order to strengthening labour market and labour migration information systems with real-time data and new methodologies in a fast-changing world of work, it is critical to foster resilience and adaptability of the labour market and migration to achieve good economic and labour market governance. Also, there is need to conduct more research on the use of big data and administrative sources for migration statistics as well as improve on the coordination, collaboration and partnership amongst all institutions for improved collection and dissemination of high quality, reliable and timely migration data.

For further information please contact:

1. Sabelo Mbokazi | Head of Labour, Employment and Migration Division | Department of Health Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, African Union Commission | Email: Mbokazis@africa-union.org
2. Ms. Odette Bolly | JLMP Coordinator | Department of Health Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, African Union Commission | Email odetteb@africa-union.org
3. Brian Okengo | Statistics Officer | Department of Health Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, African Union Commission | Email: Okengob@africa-union.org

For media inquiries information please contact:

Ms. Eliana Dinisia Marcelina Huo | Communication Officer | Department of Health Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, African Union Commission | website: www.au.int | Email: ElianaD@africa-union.org

Mr. Gamal A. Karrar, Senior Communication Officer | Information and Communication Directorate | African Union Commission | E-mail: GamalK@africa-union.org

Information and Communication Directorate, African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@africa-union.org
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