A Capacity-building Toolkit
International migration has been on the rise within Africa. In 2019, there were 26.3 million international migrants in Africa - an increase of 17.2 million since 2010. Movement across national borders in search of decent work is one of the key drivers of international migration. Throughout the migration and recruitment process, migrant workers are exposed to undue hardships and abuses in the form of low wages, poor working and living conditions, limited access to social protection, denial of freedom of association and workers’ rights, discrimination as well as social exclusion. Migrant workers’ contributions to the economies of their host and origin countries many times remains unaccounted for – yet migrant workers generate tremendous benefits to both.
In this context, there is a need therefore for a comprehensive and balanced approach to labour migration governance. Well-governed labour migration can contribute to sustainable development for countries of origin, transit and destination, and can provide benefits and opportunities for migrant workers and their families. In this regard, the ILO in collaboration with the Joint Labour Migration Programme (JLMP) and the African Union (AU), developed the Trade Union Manual to promote migrant workers’ rights and foster fair labour migration governance in Africa intended to achieve this objective. The self-guided toolkit complements the ILO training programmes and capacity building activities for Trade Unions aiming at strengthening their role in promoting a rights-based approach to labour migration.
The course is designed for officials, policy-makers and practitioners of public institutions and ministries dealing with migration, trafficking and/or forced labour; representatives of employers' and workers’ organizations; representatives of public and private employment agencies; staff of NGOs and civil society organizations; experts from international agencies and other key actors concerned with these issues.
Participants will learn about:
The course consists of a number of online modules offered via the ITCILO e-Campus online platform-
This course provides a flexible learning journey as it is completely asynchronous, composed of several self-guided modules.
At the end of course and after successfully completing the final quiz, participants will be granted a certificate of participation.
The toolkit is composed of 14 training modules, each module has examples of international good practices and highlights the role that workers’ organizations play in each thematic area.
Download PDF version of Trade Union Manual to Promote Migrant Workers' Rights and Foster Fair Labour Migration Governance
Module 1.
ILO’s Mandate, AU on Labour Migration, Tripartism and Social Dialogue, Data and Trade Union Networks in Africa on Labour Migration
Module 2.
Global Policy Frameworks guiding labour migration governance in Africa
Module 3.
Global Instruments on the protection of migrant workers (UN and ILO Instruments)
Module 4.
Regional policy, legal frameworks and programmes on labour migration governance in Africa
Module 5
Gender equality and women’s empowerment in labour migration governance
Module 6.
Women migrant domestic workers’ particular challenges in working in private households. The need for targeted TU actions
Module 7.
Enhancing fair recruitment practices and regulations
Module 8
Labour exploitation and abuse of migrant workers
Module 9
Skills partnerships, migrant workers’ skills development, portability and recognition, certifications of skills and qualifications
Module 10.
Organizing migrant workers: Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining, key obstacles and good practices
Module 11.
Promoting social protection of migrant workers
Module 12.
Working and living conditions of migrant workers particularly working time, wages, occupational safety and health, violence and harassment, HIV/AIDS
Module 13.
Advocating for equality of treatment and opportunities, and contributing to labour market integration and combating discrimination in diverse multi-ethnic workplaces and multilingual contexts
Module 14.
Impact of COVID-19 on labour migration