By Abdullahi Salad - Reporter
MOGADISHU, 8 October 2026 – Djibouti called for stronger protection for workers who migrate to other countries for jobs at an international meeting in Tanzania, according to the Djibouti News Agency (ADI).
Djibouti’s Minister of Labour, in charge of Formalisation and Social Protection, Yonis Ali Guedi, represented his country at the second Doha Dialogue on Labour Mobility. The meeting was held in Dar es Salaam on October 5 and 6.
According to ADI, more than 33 African, Arab and Gulf Cooperation Council countries took part. The African Union, the International Labour Organization (ILO), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and workers’ and employers’ organisations also attended.
Guedi said labour mobility could not be reduced to workers simply moving from one country to another. According to ADI, he described it as a major economic, social and human issue.
The minister called for stronger legal pathways for labour migration, better preparation for workers before they leave the country, recognition of their skills and stronger protection throughout their migration and employment.
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He also called for greater cooperation between countries that send workers and those that receive them. He cited effective bilateral agreements, transparent recruitment systems and measures to ensure workers’ social rights are protected wherever they work.
According to ADI, Djibouti’s government wants to make labour mobility a pathway to employment, skills development and new opportunities for young Djiboutians.
The World Bank’s October 2025 Macro Poverty Outlook reported that unemployment in Djibouti stood at 36.4% in the first quarter of 2025. The same report estimated that only 23.8% of the working-age population was employed.
According to ADI, Djibouti’s Ministry of Labour will continue its efforts to build structured partnerships with countries of origin and destination.
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