ECOWAS Parliament Demands Job Creation to Combat Irregular Migration

The ECOWAS Parliament has issued a strong appeal to governments across the West African sub-region, urging them to make the provision of decent and sustainable job opportunities for young people a primary focus. This call comes amidst concerns that high rates of unemployment and dwindling economic prospects continue to be major drivers of irregular migration.

This resolution was adopted following a week-long citizen engagement initiative held in The Gambia, where members of parliament interacted with young people, those who have returned from irregular journeys, community leaders, and other stakeholders. The purpose was to identify the fundamental causes propelling young individuals to undertake perilous migrations.

Presenting the report from these consultations, Hon. Billay Tunkara, who led the parliamentary delegation, revealed that participants overwhelmingly pointed to joblessness, underemployment, low incomes, limited educational access, and unequal economic opportunities as the principal factors compelling youth to embark on these dangerous ventures. The report further indicated that many young people hold the belief that available opportunities in their home countries do not offer a viable path to prosperity, thereby strengthening the perception that irregular migration routes are a feasible option.

Furthermore, the Parliament observed that family expectations, peer pressure, and the influence of social media platforms have also become significant catalysts for irregular migration. Returnees and survivors who participated in the engagement painted a stark picture of their experiences, recounting instances of deception, forced labour, various forms of abuse, detention, family separation, and severe psychological trauma. However, the Parliament noted that these survivors could play a crucial role in discouraging others by sharing their difficult narratives.

Beyond public awareness campaigns, the lawmakers stressed that governments must commit to investing in vocational training, entrepreneurship development, agricultural initiatives, and facilitating access to finance for their citizens. These steps, they argued, are essential if the aim is to alleviate migration pressures. They also advocated for more robust reintegration programmes for returnees, which should include psychosocial support, skills acquisition, and assistance for livelihood establishment. Specifically for The Gambia, the host nation, the speedy passage and implementation of its proposed immigration bill were highlighted as critical.

The report additionally recommended that the ECOWAS Parliament should institutionalise citizen and student engagement across its member states. This is intended to strengthen parliamentary oversight and ensure that the recommendations arising from such consultations actively shape future policies concerning migration governance. The final draft of this report is expected to be debated during the Parliament’s upcoming ordinary session and, if adopted, will be transmitted to relevant ECOWAS institutions for implementation.