Concerns over irregular migration, its implications on security and employment standards across the continent, as well as a rise in xenophobic attacks are among the reasons why Africa’s labour migration policies need to be reformed.
Landless People’s Movement (LPM) lawmaker Utaara Mootu is calling for a comprehensive review of Africa’s migration policies, emphasising the urgent need for stronger legal frameworks to improve border controls and immigration laws.
She made these remarks during an interview with New Era on the sidelines of an inter-regional parliamentary training session on labour migration governance in Windhoek yesterday. The training ends today.
The firebrand politician highlighted growing concerns over irregular migration, and its implications for security and employment standards across the continent.
“The issue of migration is paramount for parliamentarians and lawmakers, especially given the high unemployment rate affecting our youth, who often seek economic opportunities in neighbouring countries or across continents.
Unfortunately, they frequently face harsh conditions, including racism, financial strain and more,” Mootu asserted.
Mootu proposed that lawmakers closely examine the influx of migrants and its impact on infrastructure, healthcare systems and social services, particularly in regions with high levels of migration.
In the context of Namibia, she noted, migrants are drawn by the economic opportunities the country offers.
However, some migrate due to conflicts or droughts in their home countries. This influx, she observed, leads to job competition, heightening tensions and potentially fueling xenophobia.
“Legal and regulatory interventions are crucial to managing irregular migration effectively, which poses legal and security challenges. Ensuring robust border controls and immigration policies is essential,” Mootu stated.
While Namibia has made previous efforts to address labour migration issues, Mootu said there remains significant room for improvement.
“Internationally, Namibia is among the countries that have not ratified the Migrant Workers Convention of 1975, which sets forth provisions for migrants’ rights to access work and essential needs,” she said.
According to Mootu, the slow implementation of policies to enhance free movement across borders, especially within the SADC region, and to strengthen regional trade policies is a notable concern.
Stateless
She suggested the Ministry of Home Affairs addresses the plight of stateless individuals who are excluded from economic activities and often compelled to work in the informal sector, leaving them vulnerable to labour exploitation.
“Establishing migrant welfare programmes and supporting institutions to safeguard the human rights of migrants is imperative. Regarding Namibian immigrants, the country needs to bolster its bilateral agreements and cross-border cooperation to protect its predominantly young citizens, who often face discrimination,” she continued.
She also addressed specific issues related to migration, such as human trafficking and child labour.
“We have seen a surge of young people from Angola entering Namibia, often ending up on the streets under severe conditions, begging for food and facing safety risks. Many have reported being sexually assaulted. These children are trying to find better opportunities for their families but are exposed to extreme environments,” Mootu added.
Inter-parliament
The African Union Commission, in collaboration with the SADC Parliamentary Forum through the Joint Labour Migration Programme (JLMP), hosted an inter-regional parliamentary training session to promote regular labour migration, enforce labour standards and reduce recourse to irregular migration.
This first-of-its-kind initiative coincides with the latest findings from the third edition of the report on labour migration statistics in Africa, highlighting the pressing challenges and opportunities posed by labour migration on the continent.
Numbers
According to the latest available estimates, there were 169 million international migrant workers globally in 2019, who constituted 4.9% of the global labour force.
Crossing national borders to work is one of the key motivations behind international migration, whether driven by economic inequalities, seeking employment or both.
The International Labour Organisation defines a labour migrant as a person who is to be engaged in or has been engaged in a remunerated activity in a state in which he or she is not a national.
Statistics show further that the continent had 26.3 million international migrants in 2019, of which 20.3 million were of working age.
Out of these international migrants, only 14.5 million were employed in 2019.
More so, a total number of 72 978 employment permits were issued between 2019 to 9 November 2023 by Namibia’s home affairs and immigration ministry.
“It is essential that we ensure the 26.3 million international migrants in Africa can express their individual will to overcome adversity and attain better livelihoods,” stated Sabelo Mbokazi, head of the Division on Labour Employment and Migration at the African Union Commission.
Speaking at the opening of the training, Mbokazi noted that despite various efforts from the commission, member states and regional economic communities, many people on the move continue to face vulnerabilities.
“To achieve these endeavours, we need to begin with how we, as people, view labour migration. What are our perceptions of migrant workers? How do we understand their realities? What is their economic impact on both countries of origin and destination? Do we empathise with their needs and experiences?” he wanted to know.
Health sector
Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila this week also raised concerns on the issue of the brain drain in the health sector.
Speaking at the African health workforce investment forum on Monday, Kuugongelwa-Amadhila observed a lack of experienced professionals who render training to the younger cadres entering the different health disciplines.
She said the remuneration packages in many public health services are not in a position to compete with the packages in the private sector.
As a result, public health care services bleed heavily, as professionals depart for the perceived greener pastures.
“On top of that, the perceived greener pastures are not at home; they are found thousands of miles on other continents,” she said.
According to the Southern African migration management project, the number of migrants in Namibia is estimated at around 109 000 in 2020.
Approximately 48 000 Namibians are estimated to be abroad, and most migrants in Namibia are from other SADC countries.
British exodus
A classic example of labour migration is that between 2008 and 2021, there were 1 319 asylum claims made by Namibian nationals to the United Kingdom (UK).
Most were seeking asylum in search of greener pastures.
Of this figure, 1 163 claims have been made since 2017.
Only 138 Namibians were successfully granted asylum status during this period.
In addition, at least another 800 asylum claims were made during 2022.
Over the years, Namibians have been accused of seeking asylum in countries such as the UK and Canada under false pretence.
Reasons they advance for their migration include purported wanton abuse of gay rights or a lack of opportunities for people with disabilities.
Back in the 1990s and early 2000s, the UK had a two-year working holiday programme.
Through this initiative, Namibians flocked to the UK. That programme, however, has since ceased.
At the time of writing, the UK government was expecting to deport at least 5 700 migrants and asylum seekers to Rwanda this year, despite international outrage.
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