The overall objective of the ILO/EU Africa Labour Migration Cooperation Project is to enhance government and social partner capacities for managing labour migration as an instrument for development and regional integration. As part of its activities, the project will elaborate new policy frameworks and mechanisms for the development of comprehensive migration policies as a contribution to the ongoing processes of regional integration. Its capacity-building efforts will centre on the facilitation of social dialogue, regional seminars, intra-regional exchange and technical advice.

As a basis for these activities, the project will first undertake several research studies focussing on the issues of migration data and statistics, policy and legislation, and the relationship between migration and development. A summary of the objectives for each thematic area can be found below.

1. Migration Data and Statistics
   
   
   Objectives of the studies
   
   
   • Carry out a comprehensive review of the available sources of migration data and statistics in each country;
   • Assess the nature, definitions, extent and quality of the available data, including an evaluative inventory of the institutions collecting and using the information;
   • Identify the existing information gaps, data weaknesses and institutional constraints for providing a reliable information basis for national or regional policy decisions;
   • Recommend policy priorities for the improvement of information systems on labour migration.
2. Migration Legislation
   
   
   Objectives of the study
   
   
   • Carry out a comprehensive review of the relevant legislation and legal practice pertaining to migration and labour migration in particular in each country;
   • Review the degree of consistency of migration legislation between countries of the sub-region with a view to identifying gaps and assessing the potential for harmonisation;
   • Assess the status of ratification and/or de facto incorporation of relevant international standards into national law and practice;
   • Recommend policy initiatives and future priorities for the adoption of international norms and legislative adjustments to enhance consistency between national legislation, regional treaties and international standards.
3. Migration and Development
   
   
   Objectives of the study
   
   
   • To gather and review available secondary information on migration and development in selected sub-regions of Africa, especially for East Africa, the Maghreb and West Africa;
   • To assess the extent and impact of highly skilled labour migration or "brain drain", notably on the education and health sectors, and to measure the contributions of transnational migrant communities to their countries of origins;
   • To review the effectiveness of existing policies, programmes and regional frameworks that seek to harness the potential development benefits of migration;
   • To develop recommendations for countries in the region on how to possibly maximise development benefits of migration, including the productive use of remittance.

Three research studies per region will be conducted and the project anticipates an eventual output of 9 regional synthesis reports. The studies are conducted within the three project regions: