Strengthening coordination among Ethiopian institutions to advance job creation, overseas employment, and reintegration support for migrant workers through the formalization of the Reintegration Sub Working Group and endorsement of a shared implementation work plan.

On 14-15 May 2026, the Job Creation and Deployment Thematic Working Group (JCDTWG), under the National Partnership Coalition for Migration (NPC) and chaired by the Ethiopian Ministry of Labour and Skills, convened 61 participants, including 17 women, in Bishoftu to review third-quarter performance and strengthen coordination on job creation, overseas employment deployment, and the reintegration of returning migrant workers. The meeting brought together representatives from federal and regional institutions, including the Ministry of Labour and Skills, Bureau of Labour and Skills, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Women and Social Affairs, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Urban Development and Infrastructure, Ministry of Health, Ethiopian Diaspora Service, Refugees and Returnees Service, Good Samaritan Association, Civil Societies, TVET institutions, and other key stakeholders.

Facilitated by the International Labour Organization, through the European Union-funded project “Strengthening Inter-Regional Cooperation for safe, regular, and orderly labour migration in Ethiopia, in collaboration with GIZ, the workshop marked two important milestones: the formal establishment of the Reintegration Sub-Working Group under the JCDTWG and the endorsement of the project’s implementation work plan.

As a country of origin, transit, and destination, Ethiopia continues to experience complex migration dynamics. While labour migration to Middle Eastern and Gulf Cooperation Council countries offers important livelihood opportunities, many migrant workers remain vulnerable to irregular migration, exploitation, trafficking, and challenges upon return. Strengthening coordination across institutions is therefore essential to promote safe labour migration and support the sustainable reintegration of returnees. Accordingly, the National Partnership Coalition (NPC) for Migration, led by the Ministry of Justice, coordinates national responses through nine thematic working groups. The JCDTWG, under MoLS leadership, addresses employment-centred reintegration, overseas employment facilitation, skills development, and decent work promotion.

The workshop opened with welcoming remarks from MoLS, highlighting the importance of reintegration coordination as part of Ethiopia's migration governance framework.

"This Sub-Working Group exists because no single institution can deliver reintegration alone. Today's session strengthens that shared responsibility."

Mr. Asefa Ferede, Chief Executive Officer for Job Creation at MoLS

Participants reviewed third-quarter progress in implementing key national instruments, including the Overseas Employment Proclamation No. 1389/2025, assessing achievements in job creation, skills development, overseas employment placement, and financial inclusion initiatives while identifying coordination gaps, including weak information-sharing mechanisms and resource constraints at the regional level. The formal operationalization of the Reintegration Sub-Working Group strengthened mechanisms for employment-centred support of returned migrant workers. Discussions also provided an opportunity for regional and federal representatives to exchange practical experience on labour migration governance, fair recruitment practices, and employment-centred reintegration support.

The workshop concluded with a validation of the third-quarter performance report, agreement on corrective measures for implementation gaps, endorsement of the EU project work plan with clarified stakeholder roles and responsibilities, and adoption of a results-based fourth-quarter action plan with assigned responsibilities and timelines. Participants further agreed to finalize and formally endorse the Terms of Reference of the Reintegration Sub-Working Group, institutionalize regular coordination meetings among reintegration stakeholders, and strengthen reporting and information-sharing systems between JCDTWG members and NPC structures. Stakeholders also committed to following up on workshop commitments and reporting progress at the next quarterly review meeting. The strengthened coordination mechanisms between federal and regional actors are expected to improve alignment with decent work standards and international labour migration frameworks.