Labour ministers meet in Vic Falls

MINISTERS and deputy ministers from 13 of the 16 SADC member States are in Victoria Falls for the high level tripartite dialogue on labour migration governance in Southern Africa.

The meeting’s major objective is to identify gaps and key challenges facing labour migration within the region and possible areas of cooperation.

The International Labour Organisation ( ILO) and International Organisation for Migration ( IOM) are jointly facilitating the meeting which ends today when President Mnangagwa is expected to address the delegates.

The indaba is expected to come up with concrete recommendations to be submitted to the SADC Council of Ministers and then to the SADC Summit where a decision will be made by Heads of State.

As deliberations went on, delegates were divided into three working groups to discuss labour migration governance, protection of human and labour rights of migrant workers and gender responsive and evidence based labour migration policies.

The delegates called for the crafting of gender responsive policies to protect women and children who are the worst affected by irregular migration and unfair labour practices.

They also said there was a need to establish migrant information centres for documentation and protection of all migrants.

Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Permanent Secretary Mr Simon Masanga said migration issues have become topical within the SADC region and around the globe, with irregular migration and movement of unaccompanied people rife in the region.

He said there was a need for tripartite agreements to promote organised migration.

Mr Masanga said Government already has its foot on the pedal pushing for bilateral migration agreements after launching the Labour Migration Policy a year ago.

He said the official opening session is scheduled for today and solidarity statements from regional representatives would be made.