A Milestone Towards Effective Migration Governance in South Sudan

From February 3 to 5, 2025, the Government of South Sudan, in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO), through the Better Regional Migration Management (BRMM) Programme, funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), convened a high-level workshop in Juba to finalize the key priorities, guiding principles, vision, and mission of the Labour Migration Policy for the Republic of South Sudan. The three-day event brought together key stakeholders, including representatives from government ministries, trade unions, employers' organizations, civil society, academia, and international partners, such as the IOM and IGAD. With the country facing growing labour migration challenges, the discussions aimed at ensuring South Sudan has a structured, enforceable framework that supports both outbound and inbound migrant workers.

A major outcome of the workshop was the finalization of the policy’s key priorities and guiding principles. Stakeholders reached a consensus on the core pillars of the Labour Migration Policy, ensuring it is inclusive, rights-based, and responsive to national development needs. The policy framework now integrates mechanisms to better regulate and monitor labour migration, protect migrant workers, and maximize the benefits of remittances to South Sudan’s economy. The discussions also emphasized the need for a more coordinated approach among government institutions, particularly in managing migration data and improving the regulation of foreign labour. Participants endorsed the establishment of clear structures for skills transfer, with a focus on ensuring that foreign workers contribute to national capacity-building while protecting job opportunities for South Sudanese citizens.

The workshop also made strides in shaping the Labour Migration Policy’s action plan. Stakeholders outlined practical steps for its implementation, detailing roles and responsibilities across ministries and agencies. Key components of the action plan include strengthening the governance of recruitment processes, formalizing pre-departure training for South Sudanese migrant workers, and enhancing social protection for returnees. The participants agreed on a structured monitoring and evaluation framework to track policy implementation, ensuring accountability and continuous improvement. Financial sustainability was also a central topic, with discussions on mobilizing resources through government funding, international partnerships, and private-sector involvement.

With the policy framework and action plan now in place, the Government of South Sudan is well-positioned to move towards the formal adoption and implementation of the Labour Migration Policy. The Ministry of Labour, with technical support from the ILO, will finalize the policy document for government approval, followed by the establishment of an inter-ministerial coordination body to oversee its execution. The workshop reaffirmed South Sudan’s commitment to addressing labour migration challenges through structured governance, improved data collection, and stronger regional cooperation. As the country continues to refine its approach, this policy will serve as a crucial tool in promoting decent work opportunities, safeguarding the rights of migrant workers, and leveraging labour migration as a driver of economic growth and stability.