Government to launch the National Labour Migration Policy for Zimbabwe with IOM support

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The Government of Zimbabwe, through the Ministry of Public Service, Labour, and Social Welfare will today launch the National Labour Migration Policy (NLMP).

The policy is a product of the joint effort of the government and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), with technical support from the International Labour Organization (ILO). It is aimed at improving the governance of labour migration, fostering protection and empowerment of migrant workers and seeks to ensure that migration contributes to Zimbabwe’s socio-economic development.

Launching the policy will be the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, H.E. Emmerson D. Mnangagwa, with representatives from government ministries, the United Nations country team, members of the Diplomatic Corps and Labour and Industry organizations expected to attend. The event will jointly launch Zimbabwe’s Disability Policy.

Migrant workers are actors in development, in both destination and origin countries. They contribute skills, labour, and knowledge, to the progress of host countries. They also make major contributions to home countries with their remittances and the return of talent, which contribute to improving human capital and local economies.

Capitalizing on migrant workers’ contributions is a policy imperative and an accelerator for the 2030 Agenda and for attaining the Sustainable Development Goals. Therefore, the government has formulated a policy that is a well-managed, sustainable, and inclusive labour migration management system that promotes good governance and effective regulation of labour migration, and the development of comprehensive data for the protection of the rights of labour migrants and their families.

In a statement ahead of the launch of the policy, IOM Zimbabwe, Chief of Mission, Mr Mario Lito Malanca, congratulated the government on the milestone.

“Government’s commitment to making decent work a reality for Zimbabwean migrant workers is commendable. We are proud to have been part of the collaborative efforts between the key stakeholders in the development and finalization of this policy that will help address good governance in the changing labour migration landscape.” Malanca said.

In a statement, the Ministry of Public Service Labour and Social Welfare said the launch of the National Labour Migration Policy by   His Excellency, President Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa shows commitment by the Government of Zimbabwe towards safeguarding and protecting the rights of all migrant workers.

This marks an important stepping stone towards the implementation of key interventions by the Government with a view to promoting effective labour migration governance and management in the country. Zimbabwe commits to continue working with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and other key stakeholders towards full implementation of the policy.