Northern Corridor countries are in the process of signing an agreement that will remove barriers to free movement of labour and services. 

The move will see citizens of Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and Southern Sudan access job opportunities anywhere in the region without hindrances as long as they are qualified. 

Following a ministerial meeting yesterday in Kigali discussing modalities of implementing directives of the Northern Corridor Integration Projects summit, the ministers agreed that an agreement to liberalise labour movement and services be drafted for member states consideration. 

To facilitate the free movement of labour in the region, the ministers and their technical teams reached a consensus that a few policy steps need to be implemented by member countries. 

They will include scrapping work permit fees, mutual recognition and agreement of professional bodies and regulatory authorities and the establishment of a regional qualification framework. 

The ministers also agreed that labour laws among member countries should be harmonised and a labour market information system that will be used to share job details on employment opportunities in the region be created. 

Liberalising services

The  immigration, tourism, trade, labour and services ministers’ meeting,  chaired by Trade and Industry minister Francois Kanimba, also agreed on the liberalisation of services across the region and ensuring free movement of  citizens.  

Kanimba said during the last Northern Corridor Integration Projects Summit in Nairobi, Heads of States expanded the scope of assignments to include labour, business and services as the backbone  of establishment of a common market. 

"It is a new dimension to the integration process to expand geographically to provide more opportunities for our people and grow our economies through establishment of a common market,” Kanimba said.

The minister welcomed Burundi and Southern Sudan–the latest entrants in the initiative. 

Joe Ole Lenku, the Kenyan interior Cabinet secretary, called for the swift implementation of the project to enhance trading capacities and movement which was critical to the development agenda for member countries. 

He urged Tanzania to join the project for the mutual benefits.

Southern Sudanese minister for labour and public services, Ngor Kolong Ngor, sought to allay insecurity fears in his country, saying his government was in control and that ongoing ethnic tension in the country will not affect the smooth implementation of the project.