Workshop on strengthening the collection and use of international migration data for development (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: 18-21 November 2014) Lesotho
Introduction Key to Understanding migration in Lesotho: Numbers difficult to gauge as ethnic Basotho live in RSA and Lesotho (legal and illegal border crossings recorded at 11,000 in 1991 and 2 million in 2008) Socio economic challenges pushed many to migrate- from rural to urban and from Lesotho to other countries History of brain drain to RSA and to Botswana and other countries (in 2010 427,500 or 20% lived outside with majority- 98% in RSA) During 20 th century majority of male population worked in RSA mines and also in other sectors Basotho migrant mine workers in RSA mines declined dramatically in recent years from 121,450 in 1986 to 42,726 in 2010. Female migration on the increase in less regulated sectors Evidence on skilled migration in professional and technical fields Immigrants are mostly of Asian origin in the garment and textile industry Migrant remittances are major source of foreign exchange, leading recipient of officially recorded remittances, 3 rd largest receiver in the world
Lesotho efforts to enhance the Benefits of International Migration for National Development The country has participated in key international meetings from which the agreements concluded that migration can positively contribute to the development of key sectors. Lesotho, recognizes migration as one area in which opportunities for skilled and surplus labour may be explored, The upcoming Jobs Summit will include migration as one thematic area for employment creation. The three potential industries identified for presentation at the summit are : labour export; remittances and diaspora engagement; and return and reintegration for returning Basotho migrants.
International Partners The Government of Lesotho works closely with international partners to achieve developmental outcomes which are related to migration. These include the Africa, Caribbean, Pacific (ACP) countries as well as the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) which both focus particularly on capacity building and research, strategic interventions aimed at remittances utilization and Diaspora engagement and support to NCC
International Partners (cont ) and World Health Organisation (WHO for developing and rolling out framework for the strategic involvement of Lesotho professionals, in particular health professionals, who work outside Lesotho
Institutional Arrangements There are important institutional arrangements which support the steps taken by the Government to step up migration and development agenda. They include the National Consultative Committee (NCC) on migration and Development. The NCC has been set up to deal with a range of migration-related matters in Lesotho, including the development of a Strategic Plan on migration and development.
Bilateral Level At the bilateral level, the Government of Lesotho has committed itself to discuss migration-related matters on the basis of bilateral cooperation with South Africa through the Joint Bilateral Cooperation (JBCC).
Migration Policy The NCC has undertaken a number of interventions which led to the development of frameworks which outline the direction to be followed by Lesotho in regard to migration and development. Draft Lesotho National Migration and Development Policy which covers 13 key areas of strategic interventions, namely; - Migration policy, legal and institutional Framework Migration data management Labour migration Diaspora engagement Remittances Skills Development and Retention Informal Cross border Trade Migration and Health Migration and Gender Irregular migration, Human trafficking and smuggling Cross-border management Internal migration Access to social security benefits for migrants and their dependants
Developmental Frameworks The frameworks outline the interventions to be followed by Lesotho in regard to migration and development, they include the following; Migration Data Framework The Remittances Framework in Lesotho Assessment of policies and programmes promoting the multiplier effect. Remittances Framework Action for Lesotho Diaspora Engagement Framework
Developmental Frameworks Migrant Labour Bilateral Agreements Framework A framework for reintegrating returning Basotho mineworkers The implementation Framework for the Sequenced Short-Term Return Programme for Basotho Health Professionals in the Diaspora
EMIGRATION OF HIGHLY SKILLED WORKERS, IN PARTUCULAR, HEALTH WORKERS
Migration and skills The reality of the Lesotho labour market and migration from and within Lesotho makes it difficult to retain skills in professions and areas where they are needed. It has become important for the country to consider how migration could serve the development and retention of skills in areas such as diaspora engagement and the integration of skilled returned migrants. Considering the fact that the labour market may not be able to absorb the high number of unemployed skilled labour force despite the government s emphasis to create job opportunities in Lesotho, it has become very important for the country to consider exploring job opportunities in other countries.
Migration and Skills The government s policy in the area of skills and migration is to ensure the retention of skills which are critical to the development of Lesotho, and create unique opportunities for the employment of surplus human capacity through dedicated bilateral agreements. Recognition of the Lesotho diaspora and skilled immigrants
Migration of Health Professionals The situation obtaining in Lesotho with regard to the migration of health professionals, the causes, and the repercussions thereof are consistent with trends in other developing countries. The health sector in Lesotho has not been spared from the brain drain experienced across all sectors of the population. Health professionals have been recruited to work in countries such as South Africa, USA, UK and other countries. A smaller number works in the private sector..
Migration of health professionals The public sector is seriously compromised as a result; the ratio of health personnel to population in Lesotho is 5 physicians and 62 nurses per 100,000 people, over 60% of physician born in Lesotho work abroad recruitment of large numbers of foreign doctors. The crisis is also partly due to the inability to produce adequate professional health workers and inability to retain them once trained and deployed. The first Lesotho school of medicine has been opened. It is anticipated that the opening of the school of medicine presents an opportunity to attract Basotho doctors in the diaspora to plough back to the country s development by providing a robust resource for clinical service in the country
Migration of Health professionals Amidst the challenges the country has joined the international community in committing to harness the benefits of migration for development. A programme in place regarding the sequenced short-term return of Basotho health professionals in the diaspora to Lesotho to work at identified health institutions on a temporary basis. The initiative seeks to minimize the adverse impact of the exodus of health professionals from the country and instead tap on the knowledge and skills that they have acquired. The returns are linked to the provision of training and the imparting of skills and knowledge to local professionals.
ENHANCING THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE DIASPORA TO NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
ENHANCING THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE DIASPORA TO NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT Development of the Diaspora engagement framework to assist in pursuing ways on how best to engage diaspora Lesotho recognises the benefits that could be brought about by engaging diaspora, In order to enhance the benefits of diaspora engagement Lesotho aims to ; Research on and profile diaspora through evidence-based and analytical research and the inclusion in national censuses and inter censal surveys Support the creation of, and liaise with Lesotho diaspora associations Create conducive environment for diaspora to remit payments, invest, be involved in short/medium skills and knowledge transfers, matching and exchange transfer programmes Provide information to the diaspora on investment opportunities in Lesotho Encourage development initiatives such as diaspora banks and cooperatives, avanues for partial financing for businesses and projects financed by diaspora community Create platform for diaspora to engage in governance issues
Enhancing the inflow of remittances Important role in sustenance and poverty alleviation in Lesotho Transfers stimulate social development in Lesotho, given investments in education, health and nutrition outcomes Despite the usefulness remittance transfers needs to be enhanced Various remittance channels are not well coordinated Lack of sufficient provision to attract formal transfers of considerable untapped informal remittances
Enhancing the inflow of remittances (cont..) In trying to address the challenges frameworks and strategic plan have been developed to: Create an enabling environment for remittance transfers through appropriate institutional, legal frameworks Creation of effective and accessible remittance channels for remitters and receivers Improved data collection Engaging diaspora to promote and facilitate creation of conducive environment for the establishment of development financed through remittances Training of remittance receivers in financial literacy and dedicated financial products
PROTECTING THE RIGHTS OF MIGRANT WORKERS WITHIN (FOREIGNERS) AND OUTSIDE (NATIONALS) THE COUNTRY
Laws Lesotho has adopted new laws to deal with human trafficking and people smuggling, the issuing of passports, new national Lesotho Identity cards. The review process of the Aliens Control Act is on-going. The country has further entered into bilateral arrangements with South Africa in a number of key areas, including the memoranda of understanding focusing on cooperation in the field of labour and access to social security benefits by Lesotho migrants. Lesotho has ratified the 1990 convention on the rights of migrant workers and their families.
Laws (Cont.) The Labour Code Order No.24 of 1992 Part X and Part XI (Sections 138-164) gives guidance on labour emigration matters with a specific focus on social protection that is, safeguarding welfare of Basotho migrant workers in foreign countries. The responsibility of safeguarding migrant workers welfare is extended to the dependants of migrant workers, who get assistance on any matters related to the employment of their spouses, e.g. accessing benefits they are entitled to.
Rights of Workers Within Lesotho Foreign migrant workers receive adequate protection of their labour rights, human rights, and welfare rights as provided for by national legislation such as Immigration and labour laws. They are covered against incidents of discrimination, exploitation, freedom to join trade unions and many others.
Protecting the rights of emigrants In trying to protect the rights of Basotho migrant workers the areas of focus are as follows: Management of portability of social security benefits Migrant labour support, advocacy and advisory services Regulation of activities of the migrant recruitment agencies Promoting the health of migrants, their partners and dependants Management of foreign employment programmes to promote legal labour migration Management of return, rehabilitation and reintegration programmes of migrant workers Liaising with foreign countries, institutions and employers and Lesotho foreign missions on labour matters Management of labour migration data.
The end Thank You