The Southern Africa Migration Management (SAMM) project inception

The Southern Africa Migration Management (SAMM) project is a model of a ONE-UN approach and   collaborative effort between 4 UN development and humanitarian agencies: the ILO, the IOM, UNODC and UNHCR. The (SAMM) project forms part of the European Union Regional Indicative Programme (11th EDF RIP) for Eastern Africa, Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean (2014–2020) which focuses on South-South migration flows, identifying positive spill-over effects of international migration on regional integration and regional economic development.

Its overall objective is to improve migration management in the Southern Africa and Indian Ocean region guided by, and contributing to, the realization of the 2030 Development Agenda (goals 8 and 10).

It is comprised of two main project components: 1. Labour Migration; and 2. Mixed Migration. The first component supports the implementation of the UN Global Compact on Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration and the second one the application of the UN Global Compact on Refugees.

Regional Economic Communities (RECs) are key stakeholders in SAMM’s implementation. One of SAMM’s key project priorities is to support the formulation and realization of international Labour Migration and Mixed Migration Frameworks of: i) the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), ii) the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and; iii) the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC).

In the context of the initiation of the SAMM project, a workshop for SADC countries and the RECs was organized to launch the project, create    awareness and identify priorities. The workshop was held on the 18 – 22 January with simultaneous interpretation into English, French and Portuguese. 

Participants included government representatives from the Ministries of Labour, Home Affairs, Foreign Affairs, Social Development, Justice and Constitutional Development, National Statistical Offices, and representatives from Police (Organized Crime Units). Other stakeholders invited included representatives of the EU, COMESA, IOC, SADC, two representatives of the social partners from each country (workers’ and employers’ organizations), and one of the Joint Labour Migration Programme (JLMP). NGOs working in migration were also invited as observers.

The four objectives of the launching event and inception workshop were to: 

Present the SAMM project, announce its official launching and establish its Steering Committee.

Identify Project priorities for RECs (SADC, COMESA and IOC) for implementation and/or elaboration /completion of existing a) labour migration frameworks; and, b) mixed migration frameworks.

Identify SAMM country-level priority activities on labour migration and mixed migration strategies and/or policies, regulatory frameworks and implementation plans.

Present the stocktaking exercises highlighting labour and mixed migration in SADC Member States.