Progress in Labour Migration Governance: Insights from Kenya and Ethiopia

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (ILO News)-From 13 - 19 June 2024, representatives from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), Mr. Robin Dowse-Willoughby and Ms. Emma Ring conducted annual review visits to Kenya and Ethiopia to assess the progress and impact of the Better Regional Migration Management (BRMM) Programme. The purpose of the visits aimed to assess the progress and impact of the BRMM Programme, evaluate its effectiveness and outcomes, identify challenges, and examine its contributions towards addressing labour migration issues and promoting sustainable development in the country. 

 In Kenya, the FCDO team spent two days meeting with key stakeholders. They engaged with the Ministry of Labour, represented by Deputy Commissioner for Labour Ms. Milicent Muli and other technical officers, alongside IOM representatives. Discussions highlighted the support received from the BRMM programme, including bilateral labour agreements, international labour standards, the launch of the Global Labour Market Strategy, and the development of the Kenya Migrant Workers Welfare Fund. The team visited a One-Stop shop for labour migration, exemplifying Kenya's efforts in managing labour migration effectively. At the Central Organization of Trade Union Kenya (COTU-K) offices, they met with officials from Kenya Union of Domestic, Hotels, Educational Institutions, Hospitals, and Allied Workers (KUDHEIHA), Federation Of Kenya Employers  (FKE), Longitude Finance, and over 30 trainees, learning about the success of the GYB/SIYB training and initiatives to raise awareness on labour migration and protection measures. Visits to businesses run by BRMM beneficiaries, such as Rachel Wanjiru's online pastry business and Chuck Norris Otieno's eatery in Kibera, showcased the tangible impacts of entrepreneurship training and financial support. The team also visited the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA), where Ms. Jane Kamau discussed the skilling of migrant workers, the KSA Model House, the upcoming training of assessors on Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and the Skills Verification Programme. 

 In Ethiopia, the FCDO delegation's three-day visit included engagements with various organizations and institutions. At Siinquee Bank, discussions centred on the institution's role in supporting potential and returned migrant workers through financial inclusion initiatives facilitated by the BRMM Programme, such as access to loan provision and cash transfer. President Neway Megersa and the executive team highlighted their collaboration with the BRMM in providing financial services, which empowers individuals and contributes to the country’s economic development. The BRMM Programme has enhanced the bank's impact on the Ethiopian economy by fostering financial literacy and inclusion among potential and returned migrants. 

 During the visit to the Confederation of Ethiopian Employers’ Association (CEEA), FCDO and representatives from the ILO BRMM Programme met with key officials to discuss CEEA's role in integrating potential and returned migrants into the labour market in Ethiopia. In partnership with the BRMM and its member enterprises, CEEA provided employability skills training and on-job training to more than 1,000 potential and returned migrants on phase I of the programme and facilitated job placement. In addition, with other programmes within the ILO, CEEA collaborated on combating human trafficking and supported internally displaced people. 

In a meeting with the Confederation of Ethiopian Trade Unions (CETU), FCDO representatives discussed the BRMM programme’s support to CETU's initiatives, including the union-to-union agreements with their Somali and South Sudanese counterparts, namely Federation of Somali Trade Unions (FESTU) and South Sudan Workers Trade Union Federation (SSWTUF). In addition, the BRMM Programme has also assisted CETU in advocating for conventions C97, C143, C189, and C190. 

Additionally, the delegates visited the Organization for Women in Self-Employment (WISE) and were presented with the achievements with regards to reintegration initiatives in Addis Ababa city administration and Oromia region. They further observed business development support provided and conversed with direct beneficiaries to have an understanding on the impact of BRMM's support in empowering potential and returned migrants, especially women, through self-employment. WISE presented that, with BRMM support, Start and Improve Your Business (SIYB) training was provided to 991 (15% male) potential and returned migrants. They were able to appreciate the progress, with numerous beneficiaries starting entrepreneurial ventures. 

Of the six beneficiaries they visited, one has started a small-scale cereal and spice-selling shop known as "Baltina," another is producing and selling reusable sanitary pads to women who cannot afford disposable ones, and a third has launched a homemade detergent business for floors, bathrooms, and kitchen items. Additionally, two beneficiaries have opened clothing shops, designing various types of apparel for kids and adults, each employing over five people. The last beneficiary from the SIYB training has started a small restaurant offering a variety of local and national dishes. 

The meeting with the Ministry of Labour and Skills (MoLS), was led by H.E. Mr. Daniel Teressa, State Minister for Labour, and experts from MoLS and representatives from the FCDO, ILO, and IOM were in attendance. They discussed initiatives and challenges in migration governance and Dr. Tekalign Ayalew and Mr. Azmera Kebede from MoLS, highlighted BRMM programmes’ support, which included digitalisation of overseas employment processes, BLMA and improving skills development for returnees and potential migrants and reintegrating potential and returned migrants into the labour market. H.E. Mr. Daniel Teressa emphasised Ethiopia's commitment to improving labour migration governance in the country. They are establishing one-stop services and TVET centers to facilitate vocational skills training and pre-departure training; and engaging in bilateral labour agreements to facilitate employment overseas for skilled and semi-skilled workers. The meeting also covered policy harmonization and skill recognition across RMFM member states, with discussions on capacity building, digitalisation though LMIS, and continuous policy updates to protect migrant workers' rights, acknowledging the need for political commitment and institutional capacity building. 

The three-day visit to Ethiopia provided a comprehensive overview of the BRMM programmes collaborative engagements with Siinquee Bank, CEEA, CETU, Asella TVET College, WISE and MoLS, which underscored the importance of multi-stakeholder partnerships in driving socio-economic progress. The commitment to policy harmonization, capacity building, and regional collaboration reflects Ethiopia's dedication to fostering inclusive growth and addressing complex challenges in the labour market.