In today’s globalised world, labour migration is a rising policy priority for many countries. Economic hardships and a host of other factors are resulting in growing and diverse migratory movements which have led to problems related to abusive and fraudulent recruitment practices, violations of rights at work, lack of social protection and other problems for Zimbabwean migrant workers. To address some of these problems, the Zimbabwe Cabinet recently approved the National Labour Migration Policy. In this report, Sifelani Tsiko (ST), our senior writer, speaks to the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Dr Sekai Nzenza (SN) about the country’s commitment to make migration safe, orderly and regular.
ST: What is the main reason why the Government has taken bold steps to develop the National Labour Migration Policy?
SN: Zimbabwe has developed a National Labour Migration Policy given the fact that labour migration issues have grown in global importance, and in view of the potential that migration has in contributing towards the development of sending and receiving countries. It is against this background that at the global level Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 10.7 calls on member states to facilitate orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility of people, including the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies.
At the continental level, Heads of State adopted the Migration Policy Framework for Africa (MPFA) and Plan of Action for (2018-2030). The overarching objective of the MPFA is to promote better migration governance among member states. In addition, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states adopted the SADC Labour Migration Policy Framework, which implores all SADC member states to develop rights-based national labour migration policies by 2019.
Furthermore, labour migration is an important component in the SADC Employment and Labour Protocol, which Zimbabwe has already ratified. The above obligations that Zimbabwe has with respect to policy development and the need to ensure the protection of Zimbabwe migrant workers have resulted in the development of a national policy on migration.
In addition, the plight of Zimbabwe migrant workers who have been subjected to abuse, victimisation and xenophobic attacks, among other ills in destination countries has also led to the adoption of the policy.
ST: What is the major aim of the National Labour Migration Policy?
SN: The National Labour Migration Policy seeks to enhance labour migration governance in order to protect and empower Zimbabwe migrants in line with international norms on safe migration and decent work for all. It also seeks to harness and maximise labour migration benefits for national development through remittances and investment promotion.
ST: Were all the major stakeholders consulted in the development of the National Labour Migration Policy?
Could you explain briefly what the process entailed.
SN: Yes. The development of the National Migration Policy was a consultative process that involved the participation of Government line ministries, workers’ and employers’ organisations and the United Nations agencies that include the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).
ST: Developing a policy is one thing and implementing is quite another. How do you intend to implement the National Labour Migration Policy?
SN: The policy document includes an implementation matrix for the period during which the policy objectives are expected to be progressively realised.
The matrix clearly outlines the strategic area, policy options, action plan, expected outcomes, time frame and the key stakeholders particular to each policy deliverable.
One of the areas of greatest emphasis in the matrix is the cross-partnerships that are to be pursued by the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare with all Ministries and departments that have a role to play in migration management in Zimbabwe.
Other stakeholders will include development partners and workers’ and employers’ organisations. The time frames in the implementation matrix are mostly indicative and may change in the course of implementation. It is important to note that some of the actions such as those relating to cross-border cooperation with South African counterparts are already underway following the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Employment and Labour on April 6 2017, under the auspices of the Zimbabwe-South Africa Bi-National Commission.
ST: The Government has no adequate resources to fund such policies. How do you intend to mobilise resources for the successful implementation of the National Labour Migration Policy?
SN: The National Labour Migration Policy falls under the ambit of the Zimbabwe Decent Work Country Programme which receives funding from Treasury every year.
In the current budget, a provision was made for the implementation of the policy. The strategic partnership that the Government has with cooperating partners such as ILO and IOM will also assist in the mobilisation of resources for the implementation of the policy.
ST: The current political debate on migration is often based on misconceptions about the relationship between migration, jobs and development. In what way will this new policy benefit migrant workers and their families, Zimbabwe and the destination countries?
SN: The National Labour Migration Policy has several deliverables, which include enhanced social security, the conclusion of Bilateral Labour Agreements with destination countries and integration of the Diaspora population. In this regard, the policy seeks to compliment the National Diaspora Policy. Other key deliverables include the accessibility of travel documents, gender-sensitive approach to labour migration as well as tripartite migration dialogue.
