20-07-2017, Geneva (Switzerland): The Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), H.E Amb (Eng) Mahboub Maalim, met with the Director General of the International Labour Organization (ILO), Mr. Guy Ryde, at the Headquarters of ILO in Geneva on July 20th.
Currently IGAD and ILO are in partnership to implement the European Union Trust Fund (EUTF) Project Labour Component towards the protocol on Free Movement of persons in IGAD region.
Amb Maalim assured ILO Director-General of IGAD commitment to “ensure a sustainable partnership”. He also pointed out to technical assistance to IGAD from ILO in the area of Labour as an important area of cooperation. Amb Maalim also highlighted the need to improve opportunities for regulated labour mobility in the IGAD region.
ILO Director-General was briefed on IGSD Secretariat’ Social Development Directorate under which comes the Migration Governance Unit that is handling matters related to legislative, policy, coordination, Member States capacity building, research and other programmatic instruments in the area of migration governance.
Among the proposed immediate areas of cooperation discussed by the two parties are:
• Labour legislation and policy development in IGAD countries and Global Labour Blocks;
• Capacity building of IGAD Secretariat on labour governance;
• IGSAD regional programme development and implementation.
IGAD Executive Secretary was accompanied by Ms. Fathia Alwan, Ag. Director Social Development Directorate-IGAD.
