Term of Reference Baseline Survey for Improved Labour Migration Governance to Protect Migrant Workers and Combat Irregular Migration Project Background Ethiopia has become a hub for outward and inward migration, as one of the major labour sending countries and the largest refugee hosting country in Africa. A number of pull and push factors are at interplay for outward and inward migration in Ethiopia. The Ethiopian economy as well as its population has shown high growth. However, the economic growth has not been job rich. Furthermore, the unemployment rate of 17.5 1 coupled with poverty, family and peer pressure, and low public awareness on the positive and negative aspects of migration has contributed to a strong culture of migration within local communities. Finally, recurrent drought and environmental shocks, and inducements by smugglers and traffickers have pushed people to migrate to the capital province or abroad in search of better opportunities and to support their family. At the same time, advancement of information and communication technology, social networks, better living standards and demand for labour in major destination countries are some of the major pulling factors. Although the exact number of Ethiopians who have migrated abroad is unknown due to irregular migration and the absence of centralized registration system, according to the estimates by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), more than two million Ethiopian diaspora live abroad 2. However, the numbers are estimated to be higher since there is growing evidence that outward migration has increased significantly in recent years. The 2015 Ethiopian Migration Profile prepared by UNICEF depicts an increased international migration stock of Ethiopians living abroad over the years; in 2000, the international Ethiopian migration stock was 662,444 3 people this figure has reached 1,072,949 in 2015 4. In addition, according to the data from Ministry of 1 ILO (2017). Socio-economic assessment in four regions and Addis Ababa city Administration. 2 MoFA Diaspora Policy 3 UNICEF (2015). Ethiopia migration profile. 4 UNDESA (2016). International migration report 2015. New York; United Nations 1 P a g e
Labour and Social Affairs (MoLSA) around 460,000 Ethiopians have legally migrated to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) States mainly Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Dubai between September 2008 and August 2013 5. Existing data paints an unclear picture of the demographic of Ethiopian migrant workers. The administrative records from MoLSA show that the large majority of regular migrants (close to 86 percent) are women. The high number of female migrants in official statistics on regular migration is mainly due to the greater opportunities they have for regular labour migration (mainly into domestic work) to the GCC States, Lebanon and Sudan, while male migrants might need to resort to irregular channels due to lack of opportunity for regular migration. The RMMS (2014) study on knowledge, attitude and practice of Ethiopian migrants depicts that only 40 percent migrate with legal documents to GCC States, Lebanon and Sudan, illustrating a relatively high level of irregular migration 6. Ethiopia has become one of the major sending countries of Migrant Domestic Workers (MDWs) to the GCC States and their numbers have greatly increased in recent years. MDWs in receiving countries are concentrated in less regulated economic occupations where they work excessive hours without over pay, no weekly or monthly rest days, and restrictions on freedom of movement, exposed to psychological, physical and sexual abuse. Most of them even suffer from virtual imprisonment with their travel and identity documents confiscated. Labour migration is increasingly featuring on the global agenda including that of Ethiopia. The events unfolding every day in the Middle Eastern countries, and the repeated tragedies in regards to Ethiopian migrant workers in the Middle East, caused the Government of Ethiopia (GoE) to put a temporary ban on low-skilled migrant workers going to the Middle East and Sudan in 2013. The ban was mainly to work on improving the overall migration governance in the country, enhance protection of Ethiopian migrant workers in destination countries and address irregular migration. At national level the Government of Ethiopia is currently taking multiple initiatives such as the adoption of the revised Overseas Employment Proclamation, the negotiation of Bilateral Agreements (BLAs) with major destination countries, improving recruitment and placement services as well as building the capacity of key government institutions to effectively and efficiently govern the regular labour migration process. Despite the ban, the numbers of Ethiopian migrant workers crossing borders in search of employment continue to rise. The 5 MOLSA. Annual Report 6 RMMS (2014). Blinded by hope: Knowledge, attitudes and practices of Ethiopian migrants. 2 P a g e
continued increase in irregular migration mainly trafficking combined with a significant number of reported cases of abuse and mistreatment of Ethiopian migrants in destination country call for urgent attention to the social and economic needs of Ethiopian migrants. Recognizing the numerous decent work deficits faced by Ethiopian migrants in the Middle East, the ILO has developed a project entitled Improved labour migration governance to protect migrant workers and combat irregular migration in Ethiopia funded by United Kingdom s Department for International Development. The project aims at supporting the efforts of the Government. Social partners and Civil Societies in improving labour migration governance to better address migration challenges in the country and combat irregular migration. Through this project the ILO would support the GoE and its partners to address irregular migration and protection risks faced by migrants in countries of origin and destination by working on legal and regulatory frameworks for fair recruitment, strengthening and building the capacity of Federal, Regional, zonal and woreda government offices as well as Ethiopian foreign missions, migrant communities and migrants themselves. As part of this project, the ILO is planning to undertake a baseline assessment for the project to set benchmark to track project successes, fill the knowledge gaps and guide the project implementation. To this end, the ILO country Office for Djibouti, Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan and Somalia is seeking to hire a qualified consultant or consulting firm to conduct this baseline assessment by collecting primary data, review of previous project terminal evaluation report, research reports conducted by previous project, and other secondary data. Purpose of the Baseline Survey The main purpose of the assessment is to gather reliable baseline data for key project indicators which will enable the ILO and stakeholders to measure results and impact throughout and at the end of the project and also identify factors that are likely to affect the project success. More specifically: 1. To assess the magnitude of regular and irregular labour migration to GCC States and Lebanon. 2. To examine institutional capacity of MoLSA, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Bureau, Office for General Attorney (OGA), MoFA and other line ministries and regional bureaus to govern labour migration effectively and efficiently. 3 P a g e
3. To assess awareness and knowledge of potential migrants and migrants on international and national legal instruments related with migrant workers, duty bearers and migrants rights and responsibilities, and information about major destination countries. 4. To assess current practice of protection of migrant workers by Ethiopian Diplomatic Missions, Ethiopian Communities and NGOs in GCC States and Lebanon, and the coordination of the actors for better protection as well as assessing the satisfaction of these services by migrants. 5. To identify and assess challenges, opportunities and recommendation for effective labour migration governance in Ethiopia. Methodology The baseline assessment should use both primary and secondary sources, covering both qualitative and quantitative data. A combination of methodologies will be used to ensure adequate, reliable, representative and valid data is collected for the baseline assessment. The primary source should include a survey of potential migrants and migrant workers, and semistructured interviews with key stakeholders. The primary source will be the main source of data for the assessment. The secondary data will be used as source to fill the gaps and substantiate/triangulate the data obtained from primary sources. The consultant or consulting firm is expected to come up with sound research methodology, wherein the following should be given due consideration: The assessment should conduct its primary source data collection in Amhara, Oromia, SNNPR and Tigray regions, with line ministries at national level and with Ethiopian Diplomatic Mission in 3 GCC States and Lebanon. The consultant/firm is expected to propose the most suitable method of sampling and sample size based on the need to represent different target groups in consultation with ILO. The consultant/firm should employ both quantitative and qualitative data collection. o A quantitative survey will be used to collect data on the knowledge, attitudes and practices of potential migrants and returnees in Ethiopia and current migrants in 3 GCC States and Lebanon. o Qualitative data collection will be used to collect data on institutional capacity and to assess the prevalence of regular/irregular migration (in 3 GCC States and 4 P a g e
Lebanon). Key informant interviews will be conducted with key Ministries, Embassies and consulates, regional organizations officials, potential migrants and migrants. The consultant should come up with representative sample sizes for both Survey and Key Informant Interview, and other methods to gather valid and reliable data within Ethiopia as well as GCC states and Lebanon. Document review will include: previous project terminal evaluation reports, other related studies by ILO and other relevant stakeholders, line ministries periodic reports, and Review and analysis of policy and legal documents. The design and implementation of the baseline must also take into account and abide by Project objectives and indicators. This means, for example, ensuring that migrants are at the centre of the baseline research, that principles of gender equality, inclusion and non-discrimination are considered and acted upon throughout, and that the meaningful participation of migrants and other key stakeholders is promoted in the implementation of the baseline. Scope of the Baseline Assessment The baseline assessment will collect data from potential migrants, migrants and pertinent stakeholders from four regional states (Amhara, Oromia, SNNPR and Tigray regions) and at least 3 major countries of destination in GCC States and Lebanon. The assessment shall address the following key issues but not limited to: Prevalence/magnitude of regular and irregular migration to GCC States and Lebanon with a particular focus on labour migration. Institutional capacity of MoLSA, TVET, OGA, MoFA and other pertinent stakeholders from national to local level to effectively manage regular labour migration to GCC States and Lebanon. Access quality of pre-departure training, orientation and other services for potential migrants and the quality of services. Potential migrants or migrants level of readiness and capability (specific sets of information, knowledge and skills) in line with the occupation they are going to engage in destination countries. 5 P a g e
Knowledge, attitude and practice of potential migrants on international and national legal instruments related with migrant workers, rights and responsibilities of duty bearers and migrants, and informations about major countries of destinations. Available labour markets in GCC States and Lebanon conducive for Ethiopian migrants based on secondary data available. Conditions of recruitment and working conditions of Ethiopian Migrants in GCC States and Lebanon and the major causes for the vulnerability. Migrants awareness/understanding about protection services given by Ethiopian Missions, Communities and NGOs. Protection of Ethiopian migrant s workers in GCC States and Lebanon by Ethiopian Diplomatic Missions. Capacities of Ethiopian Missions and Communities to protect and provide need based services for migrant workers in GCC States and Lebanon. Engagement of Ethiopian Communities, trade unions, and employers federation, and NGOs in the protection of Ethiopian Migrant Workers in GCC States and Lebanon. Coordination and networking between Ethiopian Missions, communities and NGOs to protect migrant workers in GCC States and Lebanon. Assess GoE practices on knowledge and evidence management for better and effective labour migration management particularly in GCC States and Lebanon. Analysis of GoE policy and legal frameworks related with regular labour migration. The analysis will focus on policy and legal frameworks that underpin regular labour migration and the limitations. Also, comparative analysis of Ethiopia s policies and legal framework in line with ILO multilateral framework on labour migration, ILO principles and guidelines on fair recruitment, relevant ILO conventions, and international standards on migrant workers. The analysis should also assess alignment and identify areas of divergence with the draft IGAD Free Movement Protocols. Institutional capacity of GoE to implement policies and legal frameworks related with labour migration. Challenges in regular labour migration governance and protection of migrants workers rights. Recommendations to improve regular labour migration management in Ethiopia. 6 P a g e
Deliverables An Inception report that will include a detailed inception report explaining his/her understanding of the ToR, methodology, key resources/materials to be used, survey instruments draft outline of the report and detailed work plan within one week following the signing of the agreement. Compile and review relevant information related to the subject matter. A copy of the full dataset (in Stata or SPSS) containing the data collected. Present the data for ILO labour migration program team to discuss and agree on the validity, representativeness and reliability of the data. A first draft report (outline for the report will be discussed and agreed during the inception phase). Presentation of the report in the national validation workshop. The final report by including comments and inputs given by different stakeholders. Duration The duration of the consultancy is 45 days after the signing of the agreement between the two parties. However, the first draft work should be submitted within 35 days after the date of signing. The task will be projected to commence as shortly as possible after the signing of the agreement and approval of the inception phase report. Qualification The lead researcher or leader of the team will need to have a post graduate Degree in Social Sciences or Development Studies, or another relevant field, with 5 years experience in social research such as labour or migration Experience in conducting research on development issues, including on migration and baseline survey. Good drafting skills, ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, ability to clarify information, good computer application skills, good organizational skills Skilled and experienced in academic and research Excellent conceptual and analytical skills Strong quantitative data entry and analysis skills and previous experience using statistical analysis software 7 P a g e
Have proven knowledge of the UN in general and the ILO in particular and their objectives Application Interested applicants should submit their letter of application, CV, copy of credentials, a detailed technical and financial proposal and other supporting documents that show previous work experience, technical and financial proposal to Aida Awel aida@ilo.org. Only short-listed candidates will be communicated Deadline for submitting the applications: 31 May 2017 8 P a g e