This strategy seeks to address challenges related to maximising the benefits and governance of labour migration and coordination of stakeholders.
National Labour Migration Strategy 2024 – 2028
The strategy also seeks to address challenges related to the management of labour migration data. It is an undeniable fact that labour migration is one of the drivers of socio-economic development for both countries of destination and origin.
In recent years, labour migration has been recognised as a worldwide phenomenon requiring policy direction in order to develop harmonised rights-based and migrant-centred approaches.
Labour migration contributes to socio-economic development of benefiting countries arising from skills and technological transfer, migrant remittances, increased productivity, diaspora investments, improved livelihoods and cultural diversity, among others.
Zambia is one of the countries of both destination and origin for labour migration. To this end, Zambia has ratified the International Labour Organization (ILO) Conventions numbers 97 and 181 related to labour migration.
These Conventions seek to strengthen the governance of labour migration. Effective governance of labour migration can enhance the flow of migrant workers thereby contribute to the growth of the economy in the country.
However, labour migration faces several challenges, including unethical and unfair recruitment practices, exploitation of low-skilled and insecurely employed migrant workers, discrimination or harassment of migrant workers especially women.
Therefore, effective governance is important in mitigating the challenges and maximising the benefits of labour migration.
The government is committed to domesticate global, continental and regional commitments related to labour migration into national action to promote rights-based governance.
In this vein, this Strategy is aligned to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) as well as the Vision 2030 and the Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP).
In order to effectively implement this strategy, there is need for collaboration and cooperation among all stakeholders.