KAM Executive Brief: Regional Labour Regulations to be Harmonised in Preparation for Common Market

Monday, 08 February 2010

Plans have started in earnest among the partner states to harmonise regulations that will affect implementation of the EAC Common Market Protocol signed by heads of state on 20 November 2009.   When implemented in July 2010, the protocol on establishment of the EAC Common Market will lift restrictions imposed earlier on cross-boarder movement of workers in East Africa.   The Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE) will soon organise a forum to discuss and harmonize regional employment issues for the purpose of helping in the implementation of the protocol. Members will be notified of the meeting once the date is firmed up. At the government level, the Ministry of EAC is also coordinating an inter-ministerial taskforce to review requirements for the harmonization of labour movement regulations. The EAC Common Market Protocol allows free movement of citizens of the five partner states to work within the region and provides for non-discrimination with regard to employment, remuneration and other conditions of work and employment. In accordance with Annex 2 of the comprehensive Common Market Protocol, which discusses regulations that will guide the free movement of labour within the region, the EAC countries are expected to adhere to the following guidelines in order to facilitate the implementation of these labour requirements: Harmonization of national labour policies and laws to facilitate for free movement of labour as well as the guiding notes from EAC; Mutual recognition of academic and professional qualifications of workers within the region and also harmonization of social security matters; Facilitation of workers settling in other countries for employment accompanied by spouses and children and who will equally be allowed to take up employment; Put in place information systems that will disseminate labour market information on job opportunities and also facilitate access to employment opportunities by the citizens of the EAC countries; Republished with kind permission from the KAM Executive Brief Vol. 3, Issue 2. For more information, contact the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) on www.kam.co.ke. Share this article with others: Comments (0) Subscribe to this comment's feed Write comment Show/Hide comment form Name Email Title Comment smaller | bigger Subscribe via email (Registered users only) I have read and agree to the Terms of Usage. Add Comment