Tanzania Chairs Regional Labour Migration Committee

Dodoma — Tanzania has taken over the chairmanship of the Regional Technical Advisory Committee on Labour Mobility for East and Horn of Africa countries from Uganda, in a move aimed at strengthening regional cooperation in managing safe, orderly and regular labour migration. The handover ceremony was held in Dodoma on Monday (August 17, 2026) and attended by Permanent Secretaries and technical experts from the Technical Advisory Committee, including officials from labour and employment institutions, immigration departments, ministries of foreign affairs, the private sector, and development partners. Speaking during the ceremony, Ms Mary Maganga, Permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister's Office - Labour, Employment and Industrial Relations, said the Government of Tanzania would build on the strong foundation established during Uganda's chairmanship by continuing to strengthen regional cooperation, policy dialogue, and coordinated measures for managing safe labour migration. She highlighted that labour mobility issues had been incorporated into Tanzania's development agenda, including the National Development Vision 2050, which aims to build a competitive, inclusive, and high-income economy while improving lives for all citizens. Tanzania has taken steps to strengthen employment creation and labour mobility, including the National Skills Development Programme, strengthening employment services, labour market information systems, and promoting decent employment practices. Dr Lawrence Egulu, representing Uganda’s Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, noted the region’s growing number of workers from East and Horn of Africa travelling to Gulf countries and other parts of the world for employment. He urged member states to collaborate with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to ensure migration remains a positive driver of development, protection, and regional cooperation. Dr Egulu also commended Tanzania for taking on the chairmanship responsibility. IOM Uganda Chief Sanusi Savage emphasized that efforts to manage labour migration in the region have increased, including initiatives to leverage migration benefits such as remittances, skills development, and investment. On March 24, 2026, ministers and officials from 11 East and Horn of Africa countries—Burundi, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda—gathered in Uganda for the 7th Regional Ministerial Forum on Migration (RMFM). The forum underscored the importance of regional cooperation on labour migration, with key partners including the African Union Commission, IGAD, the East African Community, development partners, UN agencies, and diplomatic missions. Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, Lebanon, and Jordan were also invited. The article discusses Tanzania’s leadership in regional labour migration cooperation, policy integration into national development plans, and collaborative efforts with international organizations to ensure safe and beneficial migration practices.