East African Community ministers have approved a regional migration action plan aimed at improving labour mobility, protecting migrant workers and strengthening cooperation among member states as millions of East Africans continue to seek employment opportunities across borders.
The decision was adopted during the inaugural meeting of the EAC Sectoral Council on Social Affairs held in Dar es Salaam from July 2 to 7, where ministers endorsed recommendations from the first EAC Regional Consultative Process on Migration.
The new framework seeks to promote safe, orderly and regular migration while improving coordination among the bloc’s partner states on labour movement and migrant protection.
For countries such as Burundi, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Somalia, which make up the expanded EAC membership, labour migration has become an increasingly important issue as workers move across borders in search of jobs, education and business opportunities.
The ministers adopted the EAC Regional Consultative Process on Migration Action Plan, which provides a platform for member states to coordinate policies on migration governance, labour mobility and the protection of migrants.
“The Council adopted recommendations from the 1st EAC Regional Consultative Process (RCP) on Migration, including the EAC RCP Action Plan, to strengthen regional cooperation on safe, orderly and regular migration, labour mobility and the protection of migrants,” the EAC said in a statement.
EAC officials said the move is intended to address challenges faced by migrants, including limited access to information, irregular migration pathways and weak coordination between countries.
Hon. Andrea Aguer Ariik Malueth, EAC Deputy Secretary General responsible for Infrastructure, Productive, Social and Political Sectors, said the newly established Sectoral Council on Social Affairs would help translate regional commitments into practical measures.
“The Sectoral Council provides an important platform for strengthening policy coordination, enhancing collaboration among Partner States and translating regional commitments into concrete results through effective implementation, sustainable financing and continued political commitment,” he said.
The push for improved migration governance comes as East Africa experiences growing cross-border movement driven by economic opportunities, labour shortages in some sectors and differences in employment conditions between countries.
The Council also adopted regional competency standards for domestic workers, a move expected to support better recognition of skills and improve opportunities for workers seeking employment across the region.
Domestic workers, many of whom are women, have historically faced challenges including informal employment arrangements, limited labour protections and difficulties transferring qualifications between countries.
The EAC said the new standards are part of broader efforts to promote decent work and strengthen labour mobility within the region.
Ministers also welcomed progress under initiatives supporting youth and women’s economic opportunities, including the Creating Opportunities for Youth and Women in Africa (COYWA) Programme by AUDA-NEPAD, which focuses on innovation, entrepreneurship and employment.
The Council further reviewed the Empowering Border Communities Project, which aims to improve livelihoods and support inclusive cross-border trade, particularly among women and young entrepreneurs.
However, ministers acknowledged that implementation remains a major challenge, noting the need for stronger accountability, sustainable financing and improved coordination between member states and the EAC Secretariat.
The latest decisions will now require individual Partner States to align national policies and institutions with the regional frameworks before their impact is felt by workers and migrants across East Africa.
