Disagreements over safeguards and accountability marked the second Doha Dialogue on Labour Mobility in Dar-es-Salaam.
Delegates from African nations and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) convened in Dar-es-Salaam for the second Doha Dialogue on Labour Mobility, aiming to translate principles into concrete protections for African migrant workers. Discussions centered on recruitment transparency, wage security, skill recognition, and safer migration corridors. However, African representatives sought stronger safeguards, leading to disagreements over the extent of protections and the wording of the final declaration, with some accusing Tanzania of undermining the African Union's position by pursuing bilateral agreements with Qatar.
The negotiations highlighted the persistent challenges of worker mistreatment, opaque contracts, and exploitative recruitment practices, often involving collusion between employers and agencies in origin countries. The bargaining power imbalance between African nations seeking jobs and remittances and Gulf economies needing labor was evident. One delegate expressed frustration, stating, "The Doha Dialogue is dead," reflecting a sentiment of stalled progress despite commitments from bodies like the African Union and Tanzanian officials.
Human trafficking, particularly of women, was identified as a significant challenge by Tanzanian officials. The dialogue underscored the complex dynamic where the pursuit of employment opportunities can leave workers vulnerable to abuse and exploitation. The African Union Commission reiterated its commitment to dialogue, while Tanzanian officials emphasized the need for practical steps and skills development for workers migrating to the Gulf.
Why it mattersAfrican nations and their citizens are affected by the difficulty in achieving concrete protections for migrant workers seeking employment in Gulf countries.
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