Government officials and humanitarian actors participated in two three-day simulation exercises, one between Kenya-Ethiopia (3-5 May 2023) and one between Uganda-Kenya (9-11 May 2023). These exercises were aimed to test and validate Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) on admission and stay in cross-border disaster displacement contexts. Its objective was to offer pragmatic guidance for the two countries on improving collaboration in preparation for, and response to, sudden-onset hazards such as floods and landslides, which occur frequently in this region.
A key concern requiring attention by the African Union and a common approach across the AU membership is promoting rights-based bilateral labour agreements (BLAs) and other bilateral labour migration arrangements (BLMAs) that ensure protection and decent work for all Africans. The AU developed guidelines that will assist the Member States and the RECs in concluding appropriate
BLAs.
It contains practical guidance grounded in international labour and human rights standards and drawing from real examples around the world. It shows how social dialogue benefits the development, implementation and monitoring of these agreements, and can be used as a basis for training and preparing for negotiation of bilateral labour migration agreements.
The governments of the Republic of the Philippines and the Federal Republic of Germany signed two new labor agreements to enhance partnerships for the deployment of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in the healthcare industry and other professional services.
It ensures equality of treatment and social protection for migrant workers. The BLA also applies social dialogue by ensuring that inclusion of trade unions from both the countries of origin and destination (PSLINK/Philippines and Ver.di/Germany) in the oversight committee.
the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP) has officially signed a mobility agreement that will permit the granting of visas and residence permits as well as the movement of its citizens within the Communityís member countries.
The Agreement aims at facilitating the entry and stay of citizens from a CPLP Member State in the territory of another Member State through the following immigration titles: (i) CPLP short-term visa; (ii) CPLP temporary stay visa; (iii) CPLP residence visa; and (iv) CPLP residence permit.
Within the framework of cooperation with Tunisia, the programme developed by the Swiss Confederation aims to involve the Tunisian diaspora in the sustainable development of Tunisia and to promote skilled circular migration between Tunisia and other European countries, including Switzerland.
Morocco pays particular attention to Moroccans living abroad (MRE), and is making major efforts to strengthen ties with its diaspora. In this context, the Moroccan government has implemented a comprehensive and integrated policy in their favor, described in the "National Strategy for Moroccans Residing Abroad".
Joint-funded by the UK Home Office and Department for International Development, and led by the Government Communication Service International, the ‘Not for Sale’ campaign had three objectives:
In pursuit of exploring bilateral cooperation on migrant workers with countries that have reformed their regulation on migrant workers so as to provide more protection for them, Indonesia has launched cooperation between Bahrain and the Philippines.
This cooperation includes, for example, the Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Manpower and Transmigration of the Republic of Indonesia and the Department of Labor and Employment of the Republic of the Philippines Concerning Migrant Workers.
This programme between the governments of India and the United Arab Emirates links the electronic emigration and immigration systems of the two respective governments, with the objective of reducing contract substitution and improving government oversight over recruitment practices. The process for implementation has been made available to other ADD Member States for replication, as well as to the wider GFMD community through the Platform for Partnerships.