Fuelled by push and pull factors, including socioeconomic factors, labour migration ‒ in particular from Ethiopia – has been a relatively recent phenomenon. The migration is largely irregular and particular to Middle Eastern countries. However, labour externalization appears to be insufficiently supported by the data, as well as institutional and legal regimes. Available data are largely restricted to formal channels of exporting, remittance receipt and diaspora investment. The lack of sufficient reliable information in relation to irregular migration for employment purposes, human trafficking and smuggling, alternative remittance and investment modalities, as well as the impact of remittances on household consumption, savings and economic development, impedes the development of informed and coordinated policy and strategic interventions.

Accordingly, this national labour migration assessment has been conducted with the overall objective of comprehensively assisting the Government of Ethiopia to better regulate, manage and monitor labour migration by identifying gaps in the institutional framework, legislation, policies, data management and coordination mechanisms among relevant stakeholders and identifying proposed solutions for the country.