A total of four Honorable Ministers and 86 High-Level experts converged in Yaoundé, Cameroon on 29 September for a Restitution Meeting to hand over a Labour Migration Policy, marking a significant step in advancing the rights-based, legal, safe, and dignified labour migration governance in the country. 

The African Union - International Labour Organization - International Organization for Migration - United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) Joint Programme on Labour Migration Governance for Development and Integration in Africa (JLMP) officially handed over the comprehensive policy document to the Cameroon’s Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Grégoire Owona.

The JLMP supported the development of this inclusive policy, under the leadership of the Government of the Republic of Cameroon.

Representing the Head of the Labour, Employment, and Migration Division at the AUC, Mr. Sabelo Mbokazi, Ms. Odette Sarr Bolly, emphasized the necessity for all stakeholders in labour migration to thoroughly examine the evolving dynamics in migration. "This understanding is crucial for enhancing its governance effectively across the continent," she said.

“For some communities, migration has become a survival strategy. In recent years, Africa has witnessed an evolution in migration patterns, becoming a dynamic and extremely complex phenomenon. This is reflected in the feminization of migration, an increase in the number of young people on the move, and a resurgence of irregular migration flows, including human trafficking and migrant smuggling. Yet, if managed coherently, nations and regions can harness the links between migration and development as the continent strives to achieve the ideals of Agenda 2063,” Odette added.

The formulated policy is designed to address several critical considerations. It emphasizes a rights-based approach, ensuring the safeguarding of fundamental rights for all migrant workers. Additionally, it adopts a gender-sensitive perspective, guaranteeing equal opportunities for both male and female migrant workers, as well as significant emphasis on evidence-driven strategies, utilizing data and factual insights to inform and enhance effective governance in labour migration.

“With this policy document, Cameroon intends to position itself as a true advocate for the rights of both female and male migrant workers, each with their specific gender-related considerations,” Hon. Minister Grégoire said.

The Minister made an appeal to Cameroon’s partners, brotherly and friendly nations to ensure that the commendable efforts being made in the implementation of the JLMP, which involves the contributions of United Nations agencies, result in the delivery of resounding results. The minister noted that expectations are high because the challenges of labour migration affect everyone, and no state is left unaffected.

Mr. Madai Boukar Ali, representing the International Labour Organization (ILO) office in Cameroun, emphasized the importance of Member States establishing mechanisms that promote dignified labor mobility. He noted, "Effective labour migration governance goes beyond safeguarding individual rights; it also entails the establishment of systems that ensure secure, well-organized, and equitable labor mobility."

The Minister also stated that achieving more results in labour migration governance needs close collaboration to tackle the challenges that may slow the implementation of the policy, which incorporates a comprehensive seven-year action plan.

"These bold commitments we are making need an all-government and all-society approach to distinctively respond to the ever-changing nature of labor migration, especially on our continent," Mr. Abdel Rahmane Diop, the Chief of Mission of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Cameroon, said.

Cameroon, together with Ethiopia, Cote d’Ivoire, Malawi and Morocco are the pilot Member States for the SDC-funded Catalytic Actions on Labour Migration Governance for Development and Integration in Africa (JLMP Action project).

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

Ms. Amohelang Ntsobo Vivian, JLMP Legal Officer, African Union Commission, Email: ntsoboa@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

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