The Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations (MERL) has developed a National Labour Migration Policy (NLMP) to improve and harness the benefits of labour migration for the socio-economic development of the country.
The policy, which has been presented to Cabinet for approval, would strengthen systems for the protection and empowerment of migrant workers and their families.
The Sector Minister, Mr Ignatius Baffour Awuah, disclosed this yesterday at the launch of operations of the Ghana-German Centre for Jobs, Migration and Reintegration (GGC) in Accra.
GGC is a collaboration between Deutsche Gesellschaftfur Internationale Zasammenarbeit (GIZ) and Ghana to improve its core function as an employment hub for Ghanaians seeking assistance in matters of employment, migration and reintegration.
Mr Awuah was confident the policy would establish and implement stiffer penal systems to deal with private employment agencies and government officials that violate rules governing fair and ethical recruitments.
He said the issue of migration in general and labour migration in particular, had been the agenda of government and stakeholders for some time now.
“We have witness in the media cases of abuse, vulnerability and death suffered by those who migrate through unapproved routes. As a result, the international community has developed a Global Compact expected to be implemented by countries of origin and destination to ensure that irregular migration is controlled and reduced to safeguard the rights of migrants workers,” Mr Awuah said.
He said the surest way to address issues of migration was to facilitate the creation of job opportunities and link job seekers to existing employment opportunities.
“This is why we decided to collaborate with GIZ to establish this magnificent centre to provide job-matching, entrepreneurship development and reintegration services to potential migrants and migrant workers seeking to resettle in Ghana,” he said.
The German Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Christoph Retzlaff, said the centre would also provide information on options and requirements for legal migration to Germany.
At the end of the launch, GGC presented technological equipments and office items to support the operationalisation of Ghana Labour Market Information System to the MELR.
The items included laptops, desktops, printers, photocopier, projectors, server and air conditioner.
BY BERNARD BENGHAN
