FAJ pushes media reform on labour migration across Africa
With around 3.7 million migrants working in West Africa alone, journalists are urged to reject harmful narratives and adopt ethical, rights-based reporting tools.
Across Africa, the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ), in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO), and the African Union (AU), is pushing for a shift in how labour migration is reported.
The goal is to move away from simplistic or fear-driven narratives toward ethical and high quality journalism that respects the dignity of migrant workers and highlights the complexity of their experiences.
This week, the dial shifted to West Africa, where, in collaboration with ECOWAS, FAJ President Omar Faruk Osman used the Regional Validation Meeting on the Adaptation of the ILO Media Toolkit to remind journalists that migration is not just about movement, but about survival, injustice, and dignity.
He stressed that journalism is not just about headlines, but about holding power to account.
“We want to see African journalists at the heart of this narrative,” he added. “It is time we shape Africa’s labour migration story from our own perspective, so our experiences are not misrepresented or misunderstood.”
Osman argued that the combination of the toolkit, the regional meeting, and coordinated media efforts presents a real opportunity to reframe how labour migration is reported across Africa.
“Our voices matter. Our stories matter. And together, we can make sure the realities of African migrant workers are seen, understood and respected.”
This toolkit, developed by the ILO, aims to support journalists in reporting on labour migration with depth, clarity and responsibility.
Osman said its adaptation for the ECOWAS context reflects the realities, challenges and opportunities specific to that region.
“It is a timely and necessary contribution to how we, as African journalists, approach this vital issue,” said Osman.
This comes at a time when West Africa is hosting an estimated 3.7 million international migrant workers supporting key sectors such as agriculture, construction, domestic work, and services.
During the validation of the ECOWAS Labour Migration Strategy and Action Plan (LMSAP) in May, it came to light that labour migration remains a lifeline for many households in West Africa, with annual remittances exceeding USD 40 billion.
The United Nations (UN) Secretary-General report (2023) titled ‘Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration’ highlights that fear-driven, anti-migration narratives remain prevalent.
This meeting builds on the 2024 Dakar Communiqué, signed during a summit co-hosted by the African Union Commission (AUC) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), where media practitioners from across Africa launched the African Labour Migration Journalism Network.
The network aims to strengthen collaboration, dismantle stereotypes, and ensure migrant stories are told from African perspectives.
The African Labour Migration Journalism Network (ALMJN), launched following the 2024 Dakar Communiqué, is chaired by Jemima Beukes from Namibia, who serves as Chairperson.
The network's leadership team also includes Mokhlis Brahim (Morocco) as First Deputy Chairperson, Aminata Sanou (Burkina Faso) as Second Deputy Chairperson, Hilaire Hamekoue (Cameroon) as Third Deputy Chairperson, and Eric Charles Oduor (Kenya) as Rapporteur.