IOM Strengthens Capacity of Lesotho National Labour Migration Committee to Advance Labour Mobility Governance

Maseru, Lesotho – 11 May 2026 – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) convened a capacity-building training for members of the Lesotho National Labour Migration Committee, aimed at strengthening the Committee’s role in guiding labour migration governance and supporting ongoing policy review processes. 

The training brought together representatives from key government ministries and stakeholders to establish a shared understanding of labour migration as both a governance and development issue in Lesotho. The session also clarified the Committee’s mandate, authority, and working role in relation to existing migration governance frameworks and the forthcoming review of the national labour migration policy. 

Building on Lesotho’s broader efforts to enhance migration governance and align policies with national development priorities, the training emphasized the importance of using the labour migration policy not only as a framework for implementation but as a dynamic governance instrument. Participants explored how the Committee can effectively fulfil its advisory role in both policy implementation and revision, ensuring that labour migration contributes meaningfully to sustainable development outcomes.  

A key focus of the training was strengthening the Committee’s understanding of Bilateral Labour Migration Agreements (BLMAs) and Skills Mobility Partnerships (SMPs) as tools to support Lesotho’s emerging labour export and labour mobility agenda. Discussions highlighted how these instruments can enhance worker protection, promote ethical recruitment, support skills recognition, and create employment opportunities for Basotho youth, while aligning domestic skills development systems with labour market demands in destination countries. 

Through interactive sessions, participants identified strengths and gaps within the current labour migration policy and governance system. The Committee assessed areas where policies are effective, as well as where they may be outdated, unclear, or lacking critical provisions. These reflections will inform the upcoming policy review process, helping to determine which issues require policy revision, institutional reform, programme design, or further evidence and consultation. 

The training concluded with a consolidation of key lessons and agreement on practical next steps. Committee members committed to advancing their advisory role in the labour migration policy review process and supporting the development of a coherent labour mobility governance programme for Lesotho.