1. DRAFT GUIDELINES ON SUSTAINABLE REINTEGRATION OF RETURNING MIGRANTS INTO THE LABOUR MARKET
Evelyne Nkeng Peh
Department of Social Affairs
African Union Commission

2. Key points The context The Guidelines Objectives The approach
Proposed measures and roles of PES

3. Context for the Development of the Guidelines
Return and Reintegration of Stranded Migrants in Libya
Questions on the overall efficiency of reintegration programs in Africa and the actual role of key stakeholders in the reintegration process
Need to encourage Member States, RECs and partners to develop and implement sustainable and coherent policies and approaches to reintegration
AUC intention to produce guidelines on Return, Readmission and Reintegration
Need to take into account the specificities of economic reintegration, and reintegration into the labour market

4. Context – The Dakar Workshop
Organized in October 2018 with the support of GIZ and the Government of Senegal
Overview of key policy frameworks and concepts on voluntary return and labour market reintegration
Analysis of target groups and initiatives on voluntary return and labour market reintegration
Initiatives on labour reintegration work by member states and international organisations.
Discussions of key measures and stakeholder’s role in facilitating sustainable reintegration in to the labour market across the different stages.

5. The Guidelines

6. Objectives of the Guidelines
Provide guidance to Member States on concrete measures to support sustainable reintegration of returning migrants into the labour market
Identify roles and responsibilities of key stakeholders
Governments of Member States (ministries and agencies)
Social partners
Private Sector (consular chamber, professional groups)
CSOs and NGOs
Development partners
Diaspora Organizations
Local governments

7. Needs of returning migrants
Conducive policy environment that addresses the multi-faced needs of migrants.
Psychosocial, medical and legal counselling at all stages of migration.
Skills recognition in country of departure and country of return.
Skills profiling of returning migrants and information on training opportunities to improve their employability in the country of return.
Information on business opportunities and jobs opportunity in the country of return.
Information on regulations concerning decent employment (salaried employment or self-employment).
Social security benefits portability.
Technical and financial support for entrepreneurs.
Support to reintegration process for dependents (orientation, housing, child education, professional training, health, etc.)

8. REGULAR ASSESSMENT AND LEARNING
The three-step systematic and integrated approach for sustainable (re)integration of returning migrants into the labour market
Step 1 : Before departing
Assisting migrants to engage in a safe, orderly and regular migration
Step 2 : Before the return
Assisting in meeting returnees’ needs and preparing reintegration
Step 3 : After the return
Ensuring returning migrants' sustainable reintegration into the labour market
REGULAR ASSESSMENT AND LEARNING

9. Step 1: Before departure from Countries of Origin
Key measure
Stakeholder
Sensitization on risks of irregular migration, as well as on business and employment opportunities in targeted countries
Government of country of origin
NGOs and Civil Society
Private Sector (consular chamber, professional groups)
Establish a skills profiling/employment scans or professional project for the candidates for the migration
Government (National Employment Promotion Agencies, Directorate of Labour)
Chamber of commerce and professional groups
Social partners (employers and workers’ organizations)
Ensure fair recruitment and decent working conditions for labour migrants in destination countries
Government
Social partners

10. Specific role of PES in Step 1…
Key Measure 2:
Establish a database on skills of immigration candidates
Establish skills profiling
Establish critical skills gaps and excess lists

11. Step 2: Before return (to countries of origin or other African countries)
Key measure
Stakeholders
Provide up-to-date information on business and employment opportunities in African countries
Ministry of Labour and Employment
Ministry of Foreign Affairs (consular services, labour attaches)
Social partners
Diaspora organizations
Set framework conditions to ensure regular access to labour markets, portability of skills and social benefits
Government ministries and Labour Attaches
Diaspora organizations and CSOs

12. Specific role of PES in Step 2…
Ensure regular communication with labour attaches on:
Business and employment opportunities
Updates on policy and institutional frameworks (e.g. on skills portability)

13. Step 3: After the return (to countries of origin or other African countries)
Key measure
Stakeholders
Provide psychosocial, medical and legal assistance to returning migrants
Government
Social partners
CSOs and Development partners
Support to skills assessment and recognition
Support to sustainable employment and entrepreneurship
Government (including migrants orientation centres)
Social partners,
National employment agencies,
Local governments
Ensure portability of social benefits
Governments
Social Partners

14. Specific role of PES in Step 3…
Key Measure 2:
Develop the mechanism and tools for skills assessment and recognition for returning migrants
Cooperate with labour institutions in countries of destination to exchange information on skills of migrant workers
Set up short training/certification programs to support skills recognition

15. Specific role of PES in Step 3…
Key Measure 3:
Facilitate placements with the private sector companies
Identify and share information on skills gaps and employment needs

16. Other measures
Coordination, monitoring, evaluation of migration and reintegration programs at national and regional levels
Capitalization and sharing of lessons learnt and good practices

17. THANK YOU!
DRAFT GUIDELINES ON SUSTAINABLE REINTEGRATION OF RETURNING MIGRANTS INTO THE LABOUR MARKET