Nairobi, Kenya – An IOM-supported Technical Working Group (TWG) focused on improving consular and labour attachés services, and working with the diaspora, to increase the protection for migrant workers from East & Horn of Africa, has met in Nairobi, Kenya. The objective of the meeting, which took place over four days, was to help foster greater diplomatic and consular cooperation between countries in the region, especially in countries without formal diplomatic representation abroad.

Migrant workers from the East and Horn of Africa (EHOA) often face numerous challenges in their countries of destination. Some of the most common challenges include, exploitation and abuse, discrimination, and denial of access to essential services such as healthcare and education, low wages and poor working conditions, and lack of legal protection.   These can have a significant impact on the lives of migrant workers and their families.

Despite these challenges, migrant workers from the EHOA also play an important role in the economies of their countries of destination. They fill essential jobs in sectors such as agriculture, construction, and healthcare. They also contribute to the cultural diversity of their countries of destination. Enhancing consular services for migrants from the region abroad is imperative to guaranteeing their safety, wellbeing and streamline access to vital resources while residing in foreign nations.

Delegates and government officials from labour and foreign affairs ministries, from the eleven countries, including the Republic of Burundi, Republic of Djibouti, State of Eritrea, Federal Republic of Ethiopia, Republic of Kenya, Republic of Rwanda, United Republic of Tanzania, Federal Republic of Somalia, Republic of South Sudan, Republic of Sudan, Republic of Uganda, and representatives from the International Labour Organization (ILO), the African Union (AU) East African Community (EAC), and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and diaspora organizations attended.

Participants shared best practices in consular services, labour attaché operations, and diaspora engagement in their various countries. They also discussed ways to strengthen their collaboration, as working together is a crucial step in advancing human and labour rights for migrant workers in their respective destination countries. 

Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Labour and Social Protection, Florence Bore, attended the meeting and made these remarks. “The focus of the Government of Kenya is to expand employment opportunities across the continent. My Ministry has recently developed a National Policy on Labour Migration which provides a framework for promotion of inclusive and sustainable development of the country through safe, orderly, and productive labour migration.”

IOM’s Acting Deputy Regional Director for the region, Mutya Izora Maskun highlighted the importance of protecting migrant workers' rights and well-being. 

“Migration is a vital solution to numerous contemporary challenges. It is important to ensure that migrant workers can contribute to the development of their countries of origin and destination without fear of exploitation or abuse Embassies and consular offices serve as the primary points of contact for migrant workers seeking assistance, playing a pivotal role in building trust between governments and their diaspora communities. Consular Officers are often the Government’s first line of response during emergencies and are a key resource to protect the rights of migrants abroad.”

The meeting ended with participants agreeing to an action plan for strengthening consular, labour attaché, and diaspora collaboration in protecting the rights of migrant workers. The action plan covers a wide range of areas, including safeguarding workers' rights, access to healthcare, education requirements, communication platforms, and case follow-up procedures. The plan also includes measures to strengthen diaspora networks, promote cultural sensitivity, and mainstream gender sensitivity. The action plan will be presented at the 5^th Regional Ministerial Forum on Migration (RMFM) in March 2024. This TWG is one of five working groups under the RMFM all working together to improve labour migration in and for the region.

The RMFM is supported by the “The Better Regional Migration Management Programme (BRMM)”, a regional, multi-partner project funded by the UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) of the United Kingdom.

For more information, please contact BRMM Communication Officer Janet Adongo at jadongo@iom.int or the IOM Regional Office for East and Horn of Africa Media and Communication Unit at ronairobimcu@iom.int