AU/ILO/IOM/UNECA Joint Programme on Labour Migration Governance for Development and Integration in Africa

The Joint Labour Migration Programme (JLMP) is a significant response to Africa’s implementation of the Global Compact on safe, orderly and regular migration since it is a region-wide programme that contains many of the same priority areas of work as the GCM, including to help foster regular (and reduce irregular) migration in a fair and effective manner, with respect for human and labour rights.

Indeed, the JLMP represents a broad implementing strategic framework in which the AUC/ILO/IOM/EAC can anchor most of their work in the region, particularly in supporting Africa’s Regional Economic Communities. The JLMP provides with a strategic framework guiding African Member States, social partners and RECs’ work on labour migration in the African continent.

The goals and objectives of the JLMP derive from the long term aspiration of achieving an effective regime of labour mobility for integration and development in Africa, with the necessary governance to sustain it. It also aligns with the strategic themes of the AU Migration Policy Framework and carries forward the priority actions of the AU Youth and Women Employment Pact, and the AU Employment Creation, Poverty Eradication and Inclusive Development Plan of Action. The JLMP Priority, thus strategically responds to the Africa- EU Partnership on mobility and migration and addresses the needs and concerns of migrant workers, their families and their organizations.

It focuses on facilitating intra-continental free movement of workers as a crucial means of advancing regional integration and development in Africa and includes as its main activity areas and action the following outputs:
  • Increased ratification and implementation of international labour standards;
  • Implementation of free circulation regimes in RECs and adoption of national policy;
  • Expanded engagement of labour institutions in labour migration governance;
  • Tripartite Policy Dialogue and coordination at national, REC and Continental level;
  • Decent work for migrant workers with effective application of labour standards;
  • Extension of social security coverage to migrants;
  • Resolution of skills shortages and increased recognition of qualifications;
  • Obtaining relevant and comparable labour migration and labour market data.