Labour in african history trends and organisational forms. Common issues, work and rights dr jacqueline andall university of tokyo, japan background paper no. Labour migration in east africa persists as a continuing movement of farmers and. Legal labour migration pathways between europe and africa michael clemens, helen dempster, and kate gough igration as europes workingage population continues to decline, subsaharan africas is rapidly increasing. The search for work, seasonal or permanent, in town or. The migrant labour system, which is 150 years old,in south africa was forged around the monoposonistic needs of the mainly british capitalists controlling the countrys gold mines. A pervasive system of migrant labor played a fundamental part in shaping the past and present of south africa s economy and society and has left indelible marks on the wider region. The fourth pan african forum on migration pafom was held in djibouti from the 19th through to the 21st of november, 2018. He also has expertise and interest in labour migration issues, active labour market policies, how monetary policy measures affect capital market growth and general development issues. The paper outlines policy issues emerging from the migration trend in africa. Labour migration in africa is largely intraregional 80% 1 and mainly characterized by the migration of lowskilled workers.
Labour force participation rate lfpr 27 7 analysis of data on migration in africa 30 1. Data assessment of labour migration statistics in the sadc. But it is also unique in the extent to which urbanization, industrialization, and rural transformation have been molded by. Chelkowska synopsis our purpose is to record and to explain the widely changing numbers of the huge total of black workers on the gold mines of south africa over the century from 1896 to. In africa alone, 11 million young people will enter the labour market every year for the next decade. He is a specialist in workers education and capacity building. However, if we return to immigration within the continent, in south africa, demand for labour. Report on labour migration statistics in africa in 2015 v 3. These inputs were based on the ilos multilateral framework on labour migration 2006, the sri lanka national labour migration policy 2008, and the contemporary preparation of a national labour migration policy in the united republic of tanzania. Labour migration, settlement and mine closure in south africa. The goal is to obtain gender and age disaggregated data on labour migration and migrant workers, including.
Although it has benefited many native migrant workers by creating job opportunities, it has had adverse effects on the families of migrant workers. Pdf labour migration, settlement and mine closure in south. Migration in west africa is part of its history, everyday life, and culture. Crossborder migration for employment was prevalent in the region even before the drawing of colonial boundaries kimberley diamond mines, the discovery of gold, etc. This examination of labour fortunes in africa will concentrate on three main players, labour, state and capital and what has regulated the relations among them. Data assessment of labour migration statistics in the sadc region. In their separate works, they trace how these epochs have largely transformed production relations and impacted the fortunes of labour in africa. Agenda 2063 is the blueprint and master plan for transforming africa into the global powerhouse of the future. Although the migration for employment convention has only been ratified by 49 member states, it was the. It is the strategic framework for delivering on africas goal for inclusive and sustainable development and is a concrete manifestation of the panafrican drive for unity, selfdetermination, freedom, progress and collective prosperity pursued under panafricanism and african. Migrant labour in various forms is found in south africa, the middle east, western europe, north america, and india. The effects of migrant labour on the family system by ronald. Figure 1 number of african migrants in the world, by destination.
Migration in southern africa international organization for. There will be an attempt to highlight the cracks in capitalism and the implication for organised labour. The paper relied on a number of crosscountry and household surveys to capture the pattern and trend of migration in africa. Immigration to south africa is far from being a product of the 1990s. The mines and plantations in mauritius, namibia, swaziland, tanzania, zambia and zimbabwe also attracted migrant labour, but not at the scale of the migration to south africa.
Briefing note on hiv and labour migration in south africa. Of great importance in the region is the consolidation of significant southsouth migration corridors to neighbouring labour markets in the search for a job and better wages. There were 214 million international migrants globally in 2010 and 155 million in 1990. Nexus, challenges and opportunities of migration from africa to europe. This years forum focused on the concept of the free movement of persons across the african continent following the african assemblys adoption of the protocol to the treaty establishing the african economic community. The migrant labour practice in south africa played an important role in the countrys development and economy.
Migrant workers contribute to growth and development in their countries of destination, while countries of origin greatly benefit from their remittances. Although it has benefited many native migrant workers by. International migration has increased pace of late. Following these discussions on the nexus between security and migration, bicc, the bonn international center for conversion organized this second international conference, entitled migration and displacement in subsaharan africa. Labour migration for employment a status report for nepal. African union report on labour migration statistics. The surge in out migration for foreign employment has brought profound changes in the socioeconomic fabric of the country. Yet such perceptions are based on stereotypes rather than. Geographic coverage of labour migration and human development division lhd projects active in 2011 source.
Such efforts can complement existing development and security efforts within subsaharan and north africa, reducing demand for irregular pathways and putting more control in the hands of member states. Phd in migration studies from the university of ghana. South africa, zambia, zimbabwe 1 prepared for iom by dr. The regional guide to facilitate southsouth labour mobility in southern africa offers recommendations to assist the sadc member states to develop national policy solutions and approaches towards improved governance of labour migration within the southern africa region. South african migration in brief more than 3 million migrants within sadc south africa is destination for 58. Labour migration for employment the asia foundation. While labour migration is often associated with lower skil l levels. Promoting new kinds of legal labour migration pathways. Wnla was requested to set up a realistic structure to achieve a stable workforce.
Create and promote new kinds of legal labour migration pathways with more tangible benefits to countries of origin and destination. Labour migration from africa as shown in the country cases of ghana, kenya, nigeria and uganda. The study covers labour migration within africa in 2015, using mainly population and housing censuses, as well as demographic projections and labour force surveys. Meeting report of the 4th pan african forum on migration. The contribution of these workers is evident, yet many work in. International labour organization and migrant labor in 1949, the international labour organization ilo adopted its first convention regarding the status and protection of migrant workers. The origins of crossborder migration in southern africa the southern african migration project has conducted nationally representative migration surveys in botswana, lesotho, mozambique, namibia and zimbabwe to assess the labour migration experience of the current generation of adults in each country. Migrant community health workers gather much needed. African countries with comparatively higher levels of development, such as in the maghreb, coastal west africa, south africa etc also tend to have the highest intensity of extracontinental migration1. Because of its highly regulated nature, based as it was on shortterm contracts, migration. Intervention of the ilo in the africa region wapes. The general beliefs that labour migration between certain countries was as a direct economic relationship between such countries has lately been proven wrong, in view of the latest resultant effect of globalization, trade liberalization and the information technology growth that has elicited a massive need for skilled labour especially in the developed countries with labour.
A survey on migration policies in west africa 19 22 23. Statistical and econometric analyses of internal and international migrants in statistics south africa s labour market data. Migration patterns, trends and policy issues in africa. Iom, through its extensive global network of missions. International labour migration a rightsbased approach ilo international labour migration a rightsbased approach there are almost 200 million migrants in the world today. Male labour migration to the mines south africa, zambia, zimbabwe. Report on labour migration statistics in africa in 2015 iii i am delighted to present the first edition of the labour migration statics report in africa, which is a landmark in the endeavor of african leaders to make labour migration governance a crucial vector for development in the continent.
Results on quality of data 19 6 demographic profile of africa 22 1. Briefing note on hiv and labour migration in zimbabwe. It has facilitated linkages of international labour markets through vast improvements in information and communications technology. International labour organization southern african multidisciplinary advisory team 1998 for years 1920 1980.
Historically there has always been movement of migrants from most sadc countries to south africa, as well as from south africa to other countries in the region. Labour migration according to the ilo global estimates on migrant workers, in 2017, migrant workers accounted for 164 million of the worlds approximately 258 million international migrants. The case of ghana, kenya, nigeria and uganda by kennedy atong, emmanuel mayah, and akhator odigie an african trade union overview. Evidence on internal and international migration patterns in selected african countries figure 1 number of african migrants in the world, by destination source. A survey on migration policies in west africa second edition prepared by the international centre for migration policy development, vienna austria and the international organization for migration regional office for west and central africa, dakar senegal. Regional guide to facilitate southsouth labour mobility in. The trends in labour movement are of particular significance and these are examined at length. African migration united nations economic commission for africa.
Nigeria labour congress and the members of the twg. A century of migrant labour in the gold mines of south africa. Many of these new labour market entrants will seek opportunities in europe, plug. Labour force participation rate of international migrants in africa seems to be higher than that of the. To the world 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 to africa to europe to north america 0 5 000 000 1 0000 000 1 5000 000 2 000 0000 25 000 000 30 000 000 35 000 000 introduction. Migration in south africa south africa is a net importer of labour. The south african war of 18991902 forced every gold mine into a virtual shutdown and led to a lowered demand for black labour and the loss of over 100, 000 jobs a, figure 1.
The majority of people leaving their home countries are migrating for work and almost half of them are women. The education that people may obtain once they leave could be beneficial once they return. Pdf labour migration, settlement and mine closure in. The role of migration recruitment agencies, which broker migrant employment, is also discussed. Professor francis wilson, emeritus professor, university of cape town and fort hare. Skilled migrants come into the country and contribute to the working force negative effects 1.
Indeed, today, there are few african countries not participating in migration flows, whether. Since the colonial era, countries, which now form the south african development community sadc, have been linked through a system of labour migration. Efforts must be geared towards a more productive agricultural sector and improved food migration, agriculture and rural development. The money sent from the south africa helps decrease the migration 2. Recruitment for gold mining a century of migrant labour in the gold mines of south africa by j. A paper prepared for the policy analysis and research programme of. Southern africa has a long history of intraregional migration because its through that movement a regional labour market was created during the 20th century. This paper provides a perspective on patterns and trends of migration in africa by focusing on who is likely to migrate where and why and establish stylized facts that may be useful for policy making. Of the estimated 40 million people living with hivaids worldwide at the end of 2001, subsaharan africa accounts for 28. Africa is often seen as a continent of mass migration and displacement caused by poverty, violent conflict and environmental stress. Pdf international labour migration in the southern african. It is the strategic framework for delivering on africa s goal for inclusive and sustainable development and is a concrete manifestation of the pan african drive for unity, selfdetermination, freedom, progress and collective prosperity pursued under panafricanism and african.
The changing structure of labour demand common explanations about african migration focus on factors such as poverty and. This monograph will briefly outline the origins of the migratory labour system. International labour migration a rightsbased approach. Labour migration in africa international labour organization. The continue of migration of zimbabweans into south africa leads to xenophobia towards zimbabweans 2. In many parts of the continent, communities are spread across two or three nationstates, and movement is often not limited by political boundaries. In 2010, 214 million people were living outside their countries of birth. Interconnection of two different yet similar cultures globalization 2. While the content of the course will be essentially academic, it is intended to allow students to understand the key orientations of and appraise critically global and regional policy positions and. Labour migration in underdeveloped countries sage journals. Labour migration in africa is largely intraregional 80% and mainly characterized by the migration of lowskilled workers.
South africa was long infamous for its entrenched system of racial discrimination. In collaboration with the ilo, the african union released the first edition of the labour migration statistics in africa study in 2017. Migrant labour, casual and unskilled workers who move about systematically from one region to another offering their services on a temporary, usually seasonal, basis. Fmm west africa free movement of persons and migration aims at strengthening the capacity of the ecowas commission and national government in the areas of labour migration.