Tanzania Journalists Capacity Strengthened to Promote Safe and Fair Labour Migration Reporting

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania (ILO News, 10 June 2026), more than 50 journalists, editors, and media professionals have strengthened their capacity to report on labour migration through a focus on responsible, ethical and evidence-based storytelling that promotes informed public understanding of migration. The Media Breakfast on Labour Migration Governance, organized by the International Labour Organization (ILO), through the UKFCDO funded Better Regional Migration Management (BRMM) Programme, brought together 51 media professionals (20 women), alongside representatives from the Prime Minister's Office for Labour, Employment and Relations (PMO-LER), the Association of Tanzania Employers (ATE), and the Trade Union Congress of Tanzania (TUCTA) migration reporting.

Tanzania is both a country of origin and destination for migrant workers, with thousands of Tanzanians seeking employment opportunities within the region and beyond. With young people accounting for a significant share of the population, expanding access to decent work opportunities and ensuring that migration decisions are informed and voluntary remain important priorities. The country has made notable progress in strengthening labour migration governance, including the integration of Labour Migration into the ongoing review of the National Employment Policy, developing competency-based national training curricula for domestic workers, introducing a national pre-departure orientation curriculum, strengthening guidelines for private recruitment agencies, improving labour migration data systems, and negotiating Bilateral Labour Agreements with Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Iran, while advancing discussions with Oman.

The media is a critical partner in advancing safe and fair labour migration. When journalists report accurately and responsibly on migration issues, they protect workers, inform families, and hold institutions accountable

Mr. Oddo Hekela, Senior Labour Officer, Prime Minister's Office for Labour, Employment and Relations

The event featured presentations on labour migration trends, governance frameworks and practical tools to support quality reporting. Ms. Aida Awel, Chief Technical Advisor of the ILO BRMM Programme, provided an overview of labour migration dynamics in Tanzania and across the East and Horn of Africa region, highlighting the importance of well-governed labour migration in promoting decent work, inclusive economic development and improved livelihoods. Mr. Yonas Berhane, Communications Officer of the ILO BRMM Programme, introduced the ILO Media Toolkit on Reporting Forced Labour, Fair Recruitment and Labour Migration for the East and Horn of Africa, published on 1st April 2026. The toolkit offers journalists practical guidance on ethical reporting, appropriate terminology, fact-based storytelling and rights-based approaches to reporting on labour migration, forced labour, and fair recruitment.

Through interactive discussions, participants shared experiences, identified challenges affecting migration reporting and explored opportunities for stronger collaboration among media organizations, government institutions, social partners, and the ILO to improve public awareness and understanding of labour migration. The discussions highlighted the important role of journalists in amplifying migrant workers’ voices, challenging misinformation and promoting balanced narratives that reflect both the opportunities and challenges associated with labour migration.

Closing the event, Ms. Aida Awel reaffirmed the ILO's commitment to strengthening engagement with media professionals as part of broader efforts to promote fair recruitment, protect migrant workers’ rights, and advance effective labour migration governance across the East and Horn of Africa region. She encouraged journalists to continue through accurate, ethical, and evidence-based reporting that contributes to safer, fairer and more inclusive labour migration, supporting informed public dialogue.