Tunis – The Libyan Ministry of Labour convened a round table discussion yesterday (13/11), with the support of IOM, the UN Migration Agency, with Libya’s regional partners to discuss labour migration management. The overall aim of the roundtable being to enhance the benefits of migration to the State of Libya, countries of origin of migrants residing in Libya and to migrants themselves.

The round table represents a further step in enhancing collaboration between the Ministry of Labour and participating countries and contributes towards the development of a legal framework that facilitates labour force mobility within the region. This initiative is part of IOM’s wider efforts to assisting the Government of Libya on its migration management efforts and overall aim of assisting migrants in Libya.

 “Best practices in bilateral and regional labour arrangements were presented during the meeting, and the Ministry of Labour of Libya engaged diplomatic representatives of its regional partners in a consultative format that we wish to be maintained, aiming at a coordinated approach to labour migration management,” said Mr. Al-Mahdi Al-Amen, Libya’s Minister of Labour.

 "This is a substantial step towards labour migration governance in Libya," said Mr. Othman Belbeisi, Chief of Mission of IOM Libya.  “IOM has been supporting the Libyan Ministry of Labour and the national leadership towards strengthening mechanisms to address labour market needs through coordinated and country-tailored approaches.”

 “A mass exodus of migrant workers, due to the crisis, has affected many services in Libya,” said Amit Bhardwaj, IOM Libya Project Manager for the Regional Development Protection Programme (RDPP).  “The establishment of an effective migration policy is an essential part of a broader strategy to support economic growth, improving job opportunities for people seeking jobs and improving services in Libya.”

 The Ministry of Labour has made the improvement of labour migration mechanisms a priority by leading a consultative process with its regional partners. IOM supports the Government of Libya by providing strategic advice and support to national authorities on effective migration management mechanisms. 

 As part of its labour migration programming in Libya, IOM is building the capacity of State of Libya through policy and technical advice, supporting the development of strategies, legislation and administrative structures that promote efficient, effective and transparent labour migration flows and facilitating the recruitment of migrant workers.

 The roundtable, supported by the European Union Trust Fund, was co-chaired by Mr. Al-Mahdi Al-Amen, the Libyan Minister of Labour, and Mr. Othman Belbeisi, IOM Libya Chief of Mission. Diplomatic representatives of the following countries participated in the round table: Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ghana, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Philippines, Senegal, Sudan.  

 For more information, please contact Maya Abu Ata at IOM Libya, Tel: + 00216 58601336, Email: mabuata@iom.int or Safa Msehli, Tel: +216 22 241 842 Email: smsehli@iom.int