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13 October 2009 Tanzania Yet to Reap the Benefits of Human Mobility At first glance the theme of the Human Development Report (HDR) 2009 might seem marginal in the Tanzanian context. The country has an emigration rate of mere 0.8%, which in 2007 translated into just 14 million USD in remittances sent back to Tanzania by migrants. "If barriers to labour mobility had been lessened and appropriate national strategies put in place, this figure would have been higher", stated the Minister for East African Cooperation Hon. Dr. Deodorus B. Kamala at the Tanzanian launch of the HDR. This year UNDP's Human Development Report focuses on overcoming barriers to human mobility. It proposes six reforms to maximize the impact of migration on human development. These reforms are closely related to migrants’ rights, which were highlighted at the HDR launch by Alberic Kacou, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Tanzania: "Migrants have the basic right to receive equal remuneration for equal work, decent working conditions and protection of health and safety.” “They should not be subject to cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment; and they should have the right to return to their countries of origin", he added. The East African Community (EAC) consisting of Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Burundi and Rwanda is currently negotiating a Common Market Protocol that would enhance the free movement of people and labour in the region. "This is one of the examples of regional initiatives that attempts to implement the concept of human mobility in a more pragmatic and sustainable manner", the Minister for East African Cooperation concluded.The HDR launch in Dar Es Salaam brought together development partners, government and UN officials, representatives from civil society organizations and members of Tanzanian media. HDR links |
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