The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is intensifying efforts to strengthen its labour migration framework, aiming to foster economic integration and safeguard the rights of migrant workers across the region.
At the recent Regional Validation Meeting, Albert Siaw-Boateng, ECOWAS Director of Free Movement, highlighted that international migrant workers in West Africa increased to approximately 4.1 million by 2020, up from 3.74 million in 2017. Labour migration constitutes 57.7% of the region’s 7.1 million migrants, with men representing 64.1% and women 35.9% of this workforce.
Siaw-Boateng emphasized that the new Labour Migration Strategy and Action Plan is pivotal for ensuring safe, orderly, and regular migration, aligning with ECOWAS’s commitment to free movement and economic development. He acknowledged existing challenges such as informality, underemployment, exploitation, and limited access to social security, which impede effective migration management.
Ghana’s Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, Dr. Abdul-Rashid Hassan Pelpuo, cited the World Bank’s 2024 report, noting that approximately 3.7 million migrant workers move between West African countries. He advocated for transitioning from fragmented national approaches to cohesive regional cooperation, focusing on building effective governance systems, simplifying work permit processes, and enhancing labour market data systems.
Dr. Pelpuo also stressed the importance of protecting vulnerable individuals through robust systems that prevent abuse and ensure access to social security across borders. He highlighted the potential of channeling remittances into productive investments and leveraging diaspora expertise to support local businesses.
Mohammad Lawan Gana, ECOWAS Resident Representative in Ghana, underscored that migration is influenced by various factors, including socio-economic conditions, environmental degradation, and insecurity. He called for coordinated strategies among stakeholders to address these root causes and ensure the well-being and protection of migrants.
This initiative is part of ECOWAS’s broader efforts to promote regional integration and economic growth through improved labour mobility and migration governance.
