By Magdalene Wanja - Reporter
Kenya, 22 October 2025 – Labour ministers from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) member states have reaffirmed their commitment to promoting decent work, safe migration, and stronger regional cooperation to protect migrant workers across the Horn of Africa.
Congregating in Nairobi for the third Ministerial Conference on Labour, Employment, and Labour Migration in Nairobi, the ministers raised alarm over the worsening humanitarian crisis caused by irregular migration routes, particularly along the Red Sea corridor.
Kenya’s Labour Minister, Dr Alfred Mutua, called for urgent international intervention, citing the increasing number of migrants risking their lives in search of greener pastures.
“Over 60,000 migrants arrived in Yemen in 2024 alone, and more than 3,400 have died in the past decade. This demands immediate attention,” said Dr Mutua.
He underscored Kenya’s continued commitment to regional cooperation under the IGAD framework, emphasizing efforts to create decent employment, uphold fair labour standards, and facilitate safe, orderly, and regular migration.
“This conference marks a significant milestone in our collective journey toward creating employment opportunities, enhancing worker protection, and promoting social and economic development across the IGAD region,” said Dr Mutua.
He outlined Kenya’s ongoing labour sector reforms, including Bilateral Labour Agreements (BLAs) designed to open new opportunities for Kenyan workers abroad while safeguarding their welfare.
Dr Mutua stressed that harmonised migration policies, stronger inter-agency coordination, and enhanced labour data systems are essential to combat human trafficking, irregular migration, and the exploitation of migrant workers.
“Labour migration is not merely a security issue. It is a critical pillar for development, livelihoods, peace, and regional stability. We must develop actionable strategies that strengthen institutional capacities, enhance data sharing, and ensure no community is left behind.”
Regional and international partners echoed these sentiments, calling for collective action to translate policy into action.
“To harness the benefits of labour migration for regional integration and prosperity, we must reaffirm our commitment to social justice,” said Mr Khumbula Ndaba, Director for the ILO Horn of Africa.
“This is our moment to move from policy to practice, from statements to systems, from aspiration to action. It’s time to turn commitments into real results for workers and migrants,” emphasized Dr Workneh Gebeyehu, Executive Secretary of IGAD.
The conference focused on three key themes: fair and safe migration, decent work, and the free movement of persons, which delegates described as critical pillars for inclusive growth and regional stability across the Horn of Africa.
The meeting was attended by representatives from IGAD, the European Union, the International Labour Organization (ILO), and other development partners.
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