Zimbabwe News Update
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2 min read
Rutendo Nyeve, Victoria Falls Reporter
THE Government has called for the swift finalisation and implementation of Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) and a comprehensive regional framework for skills recognition within the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
This strategic move is aimed at allowing skilled and semi-skilled citizens to move freely across the region, maximising their contribution to member states’ economies, addressing critical labour market demands and curbing irregular migration.
The urgent call was made by the Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, Dr Evelyn Ndlovu, during her address at the Ministerial Meeting of the Migration Dialogue for Southern Africa (MIDSA), held recently here in Victoria Falls.
Dr Ndlovu said while labour migration has historically been the backbone of the regional economy, its full potential remains stifled by fragmented policies and a lack of skills portability.
“Labour migration has been the historical backbone of our regional economy, yet its potential remains constrained by fragmented policies and a lack of skills portability,” said Dr Ndlovu.
She emphasised the conclusions of the conference’s second roundtable, which tackled the crucial need for fair, ethical and effective labour migration governance.
“The priority now is the expeditious finalisation and implementation of Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) and a comprehensive Regional Framework for skills recognition
“This will allow our skilled and semi-skilled citizens to move freely and contribute maximally to all our economies, addressing labour market demands and reducing irregular migration,” she said.
Furthermore, Dr Ndlovu urged the entire SADC region to commit to streamlining the often cumbersome and lengthy processes for verifying professional and academic qualifications.
“Let us commit to streamlining qualification verification processes, making them faster, more transparent and ultimately, a reality for every SADC worker,” she said.
The MIDSA meeting concluded with a renewed dedication from member states to translate political commitments into tangible action.
