THAMM Nicolle Disc Paper Final Draft 02072021 Cleared.docx

labour migration statistical data, but also more broadly the integration and harmonization of both statistical and administrative data into functional information systems. It is difficult in North Africa for several reasons. Firstly, there continues to be a culture of secrecy around migration data, in particular border crossing data on flows and visas, administered by ministries of Interior and police services. Second, there are uneven data collection instruments, in terms of alignment with international standards (incomplete data series, labour migration modules in national labour force surveys which differ from country to country. Thirdly, there is currently no forum or mechanism at the regional level to put labour migration data in common and meet regularly to share lessons and discuss challenges. In THAMM, we intervene closely with all National Statistics Offices, HCP in Morocco, INS in Tunisia, and CAPMAS in Egypt, to work on national instruments; and in partnership with UMA, we will contribute to the production of the first ever labour migration statistics report, which we would like to expand in the form of a North Africa report with Egypt this time. Tanja Dedovic : It is important for the long-term planning of skills mobility partnerships for the correct assessment of supply and demand of the future labor markets in Countries of Origin and Countries of Destination. It is as important to collect data about the size of the informal economy and the number of migrants working in the informal economy (both in North Africa and in Europe) to include this sector and the people working in it in the policy making regarding social protection health. Finally, what role can non-institutional actors (private sector, employers’ and workers’ organizations, academics, NGOs, CSOs) play in improving cooperation between relevant stakeholders in the field of mobility?

to play but have been unevenly involved, at national and international level and this needs to change. All too often bilateral labour agreements have been and continue to be negotiated behind closed doors without any involvement from social partners or research experts. Employers, who are the first beneficiaries of migrant labour, need to be more proactive in terms of fair and ethical recruitment approaches, and self-regulation, particularly of private employment and recruitment agencies. Trade unions are hardly ever involved in national discussions on migration, and the latter are hardly ever tabled on the agenda of national social dialogue or parliamentary discussions in North Africa. There are also still too few partnerships between trade unions in the same sectors along migration corridors between North African and European countries to play this role fully of upholding the rights of migrant workers throughout the migration cycle. These are the reasons why in THAMM, all our governance structures, at national level, are tripartite (meaning that they involve representatives from social partners) and we involve social partners and academic networks wherever possible across all activities. Lastly, we provide support to the RSMMS (Réseau Syndical Migrations Méditerranéennes Subsahariennes) in partnership with the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung of Tunis. Tanja Dedovic : Especially private sector can play a major role in establishing skills mobility partnerships by taking the initiative in investing in skill straining in Countries of Origin where they are in need of trained skilled work force or by promoting internships for youth which improves their employability, so do TVET and tertiary educational institutions. Finally MFIs and cooperatives can play a major role in facilitating return and reintegration of migrant workers by offering them tailored financial packages to support them in starting their own business with the capital which they accumulated during migration.

Aurelia Segatti : All have a tremendously important role

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