Labour migration is becoming an increasingly significant feature of Tanzania’s economy and society, creating both opportunities and challenges that require stronger governance systems, informed public dialogue, and responsible media reporting.
These issues were discussed during a media breakfast on Labour Migration Governance in Tanzania and the Eastern Horn of Africa (EAHoA), organized by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Dar es Salaam on June 10.
Speaking at the event, ILO Chief Technical Advisor Ms. Aida Awel described labour migration as one of the most important global and regional issues of the present time. She said millions of people across the Eastern Horn of Africa move each year in search of employment, education, safety, and better living conditions.
According to Ms. Awel, migration is not simply a policy matter but a human reality affecting families, communities, and national economies.
“Behind every migration statistic is a human story. These are young people seeking their first jobs, parents supporting their families, and workers striving for dignity and a better future,” she said.
She noted that the region experiences both regular labour migration and significant displacement pressures, making migration governance increasingly important.
Ms. Awel said Tanzania occupies a strategic position within the regional migration landscape. With one of Africa’s youngest populations, thousands of young Tanzanians enter the labour market annually, often facing challenges such as limited employment opportunities, informality, skills mismatches, and inadequate labour market information.
As a result, migration has become an important livelihood strategy for many households.
“Tanzanians continue to seek opportunities within East Africa and beyond, including in Gulf countries. At the same time, Tanzania hosts migrant workers from neighbouring countries who contribute to sectors such as agriculture, construction, trade, transport, hospitality, and domestic work,” she said.
She emphasized that migration itself is not the challenge. The priority, she said, is ensuring that migration takes place through safe, orderly, regular, and fair channels that protect workers’ rights and dignity.
Without proper safeguards, migrant workers may face exploitative recruitment practices, excessive recruitment costs, misinformation, poor working conditions, and limited access to justice and social protection, particularly women and young migrants.
Ms. Awel commended the Government of Tanzania for ongoing efforts to strengthen labour migration governance through policy reforms, improved labour market information systems, enhanced regional cooperation, promotion of fair recruitment practices, and expanded pre-departure services.
She added that the ILO continues to support these efforts through programmes such as Better Regional Migration Management, which seeks to improve migration governance, skills recognition, labour market information, and protection of migrant workers throughout the migration cycle.
However, she stressed that policies alone are not sufficient.
“People need accurate information to make informed decisions. Communities must understand migration realities, and workers need to know where safe pathways exist. This is where the media becomes indispensable,” she said.
Ms. Awel urged journalists to report migration issues accurately and responsibly, noting that balanced reporting can help counter misinformation, reduce harmful stereotypes, and promote social cohesion.
Addressing the gathering, Senior Labour Officer from the Prime Minister’s Office–Labour, Employment and Youth, Mr. Oddo Hekela, clarified several policy issues raised during the discussions.
He said Tanzania does not structure its economy around labour migration remittances, unlike some countries where remittances form a major source of national income.
“Our national priority is worker protection. While migration contributes to economic development, Tanzania’s focus remains on safeguarding the rights, dignity, and welfare of workers,” he said.
Mr. Hekela also addressed concerns regarding irregular migration and the terminology commonly used in public discourse.
He urged journalists to avoid the term “illegal migrant,” noting that international standards promoted by the ILO recommend the use of “irregular migrant” or “irregular migration.”
“The language we use matters. We should focus on migration status rather than labelling people,” he said.
Mr. Hekela emphasized that Tanzania is both a sending and receiving country and has established legal frameworks governing labour migration, including laws regulating employment of non-citizens, labour relations, employment services, and anti-human trafficking measures.
He encouraged journalists to move beyond event-based reporting and provide greater analysis of the legal and policy frameworks that shape migration outcomes.
“Journalism is not only about reporting events. It is also about investigation, interpretation, and helping the public understand the laws and systems behind what is happening,” he said.
On behalf of workers’ organizations, Ms. Nasra Shargy, Director for Gender, Women and Youth at the Trade Union Congress of Tanzania (TUCTA) and Coordinator of the Migrant Workers Resource Centre, said labour migration continues to grow in importance across the region.
She noted that migration can create opportunities for workers and contribute to economic growth when properly managed. However, she warned that unsafe migration pathways expose workers to exploitation, abuse, trafficking, and violations of labour rights.
“As workers’ organizations, we remain deeply concerned about the protection of migrant workers. Ensuring safe migration requires collective efforts from all stakeholders,” she said.
Ms. Shargy described the media as a critical partner in protecting migrant workers by raising awareness, exposing unethical recruitment practices, and providing accurate information to potential migrants.
“Responsible reporting can help workers make safer decisions, understand their rights, and hold institutions accountable,” she said.
She urged journalists to continue covering labour migration issues beyond official events and to amplify the voices and experiences of migrant workers themselves.
“The stories of migrant workers deserve to be heard. Accurate and human-centred reporting can contribute significantly to safer migration systems,” she added.
Meanwhile, Head of Research and Policy Advocacy at the Association of Tanzania Employers (ATE), Mr. Renatus Mbamilo, said labour migration remains a complex issue that requires evidence-based reporting and deeper public understanding.
He commended the ILO for creating a platform that brought together government officials, employers, workers’ representatives, and media practitioners to discuss migration challenges and opportunities.
Mr. Mbamilo said effective reporting requires more than presenting statistics.
“Labour migration is a dynamic issue with implications for workers, employers, families, and the broader economy. Understanding it requires research, investigation, and balanced analysis,” he said.
He encouraged journalists to consult a wide range of sources, including government institutions, recruitment agencies, migrant workers, returnees, employers, and development partners when covering migration-related stories.
Mr. Mbamilo also urged the media to pay attention to both outward and inward migration trends.
“Migration is not only about Tanzanians seeking opportunities abroad. It is also about migrant workers who contribute to Tanzania’s economy in sectors such as agriculture, hospitality, construction, trade, and services,” he said.
He noted that informed journalism can contribute to safer, fairer, and more regular migration systems while supporting better policymaking and protecting vulnerable workers.
The meeting concluded with a shared call for stronger collaboration between government institutions, employers, workers’ organizations, development partners, and the media.
