In a step towards regularizing labour migration, Libya and Niger today signed a memorandum of understanding that seeks to protect migrant workers through effective work visa issuance before employment and to better respond to Libya's labour market needs.
“Bilateral collaboration plays a key role in promoting the labour rights of Nigerien migrants in Libya, to improve their working conditions and thereby to facilitate the remittances to their communities of origin, by an economy and contribute to the development of their home country through remittances,” said Barbara Rijks, Chief of Mission of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Niger. “It will also contribute to combat migrant smuggling and trafficking in persons and promote safe and regular migration pathways.”
Federico Soda, Chief of Mission for IOM Libya, said it is essential to strengthen coordination and cooperation mechanisms on migration management and labour mobility across the countries’ borders. “There are more than 600,000 international migrants in Libya, with Nigerien nationals the most prominent group at 20 per cent,” he said.?“They play a pivotal role in supplying a critical workforce in the Libyan economy and contribute to the development of their home country through remittances.”
According to an IOM report on the nature of migration dynamics between Libya, Chad and Niger, crossing the Sahara Desert is one of the world’s most perilous migration journeys. The migration routes are remote and vehicle breakdown and the threats from bandits are frequent. Migrants often travel spontaneously, following in the footsteps of centuries of migration before them, often with no documents or legal status.
In response to these risks, IOM has closely worked with Libyan and Nigerien governments to strengthen their capacities in various areas, including labour migration, migration data and migrant protection. The Organization has also acted as a facilitator to enhance policy and active dialogue and international cooperation mechanisms on labour mobility to foster partnership and support legal frameworks that will protect migrant worker rights.
IOM has also supported the organization of a roundtable meeting today between Libya's Labour Minister and Ministry of Labour officials from Chad, Ghana, Guinea Conakry, Mali, Nigeria and Senegal. Building on the experience from Niger, the aim is to foster dialogue and pave the way towards establishing a framework of international cooperation in the area of labour mobility between Libya and key countries of origin.?
These events are financed by the European Union’s Regional Development Protection Programme (RDPP) and supported by the Delegation of the European Union to Libya.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Organization for Migration (IOM).
© Press Release 2021
Disclaimer: The contents of this press release was provided from an external third party provider. This website is not responsible for, and does not control, such external content. This content is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis and has not been edited in any way. Neither this website nor our affiliates guarantee the accuracy of or endorse the views or opinions expressed in this press release.
The press release is provided for informational purposes only. The content does not provide tax, legal or investment advice or opinion regarding the suitability, value or profitability of any particular security, portfolio or investment strategy. Neither this website nor our affiliates shall be liable for any errors or inaccuracies in the content, or for any actions taken by you in reliance thereon. You expressly agree that your use of the information within this article is at your sole risk.
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, this website, its parent company, its subsidiaries, its affiliates and the respective shareholders, directors, officers, employees, agents, advertisers, content providers and licensors will not be liable (jointly or severally) to you for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, incidental, punitive or exemplary damages, including without limitation, lost profits, lost savings and lost revenues, whether in negligence, tort, contract or any other theory of liability, even if the parties have been advised of the possibility or could have foreseen any such damages.
