Fifth Technical Working Group Reviews Labour Migration Priorities and Exit Planning in South Sudan

South Sudan convened its fifth Technical Working Group (TWG) meeting on labour migration governance on 15 September 2025 in Juba. The meeting was organized by the Ministry of Labour, in collaboration with social partners and with support from the ILO Better Regional Migration Management (BRMM) Programme. It brought together government officials, employers, trade unions, and technical experts to review ongoing initiatives, assess progress, and discuss the transition of activities as the BRMM project approaches completion.

Building on the outcomes of previous TWG sessions and guidance from the regional Labour Migration Advisory Group (LMAG), participants reviewed national developments in labour migration governance, achievements under the BRMM programme, and areas requiring further attention. A central focus of the session was defining a practical exit plan to ensure that gains made over the past three years are sustained through national structures and future programmes.

Opening remarks highlighted the scale and importance of labour migration in South Sudan. Workers’ and employers’ organizations acknowledged the contributions of migrant workers across multiple sectors while raising concerns about protection gaps, oversight, and enforcement. The Ministry of Labour reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening governance systems, improving data collection, coordination, and legal frameworks. The ILO emphasized alignment with international labour standards and integrating migration governance within broader labour market reforms.

Progress updates included support for the national labour migration policy process, improvements in data systems, capacity-building initiatives, and strengthened social-partner engagement. The Ministry of Labour outlined ongoing initiatives to advance ratification processes, institutional coordination, and oversight of recruitment practices. Employers and trade unions shared efforts to promote fair recruitment, organize migrant workers, and develop cross-border collaboration with neighbouring countries.

Group discussions focused on priorities to carry forward beyond the BRMM project. Key points included:

• Expanding regulated overseas employment opportunities.
• Strengthening collaboration with embassies and licensed recruitment agencies.
• Enhancing enforcement of labour laws and protection mechanisms.
• Integrating migrant workers into national labour systems.
• Increasing awareness of rights and responsibilities among workers.
• Improving coordination among ministries and social partners.

A central outcome of the meeting was the development of a TWG exit plan, which identified responsibilities to be absorbed by national institutions and areas where future ILO support may be required. Participants stressed the importance of continued work on labour migration data, capacity-building for frontline institutions, and finalization and dissemination of the national labour migration policy once endorsed. Maintaining effective monitoring, reporting, and coordination mechanisms was also highlighted as critical for sustainability.

The meeting concluded with agreement on the next steps to refine the exit plan and maintain collaboration among stakeholders. Participants recognized that sustaining progress requires consistent engagement, strengthened institutional capacity, and the integration of labour migration into national development planning. The TWG will continue to serve as the coordination platform for labour migration governance in South Sudan, with responsibilities gradually transitioning to national institutions as the BRMM programme winds down.