Juba, South Sudan – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has handed over a critical Labour Market Information System (LMIS) to the Government of South Sudan, marking a significant step towards improving knowledge and management of the country's workforce.

The LMIS is a powerful tool designed to collect, analyze, and disseminate comprehensive data on both labour demand and supply. This information is essential for developing effective labour market policies, promoting employment opportunities, and ensuring a skilled and productive workforce. The LMIS implementation was strengthened by a comprehensive labour force survey conducted in Juba County and Central Equatoria State in July and August 2023. This data provided crucial insights into the local labour market and informed the system's initial launch.

Furthermore, IOM facilitated capacity-building training for staff within the Ministry of Labour, equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively manage and maintain the LMIS. This ensures the system's sustainability and its ability to provide accurate and up-to-date information over time.

South Sudan's commitment to the Regional Ministerial Forum on Migration (RMFM) on Harmonizing Labour Migration Policies in East and Horn of Africa underlines its dedication to safe, regular, and humane labour migration within the region. Established in 2020, the RMFM promotes collaborative approaches and social dialogue to build a sound and rights-based framework for labour mobility.

“This system will give us the necessary picture of demand and supply of labour force for the long-term planning of the country. The next step is to expand this exercise to all states to get a national snapshot of labour market information,” said H.E Husein Abdelbagi Akol, Vice President for service cluster.

The LMIS development is part of the "Better Regional Migration Management (BRMM) Labour Mobility and Regional Integration for Safe, Orderly and Humane Labour Migration in East and Horn of Africa" programme, generously funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). This collaboration underscores the international commitment to supporting South Sudan's efforts towards a well-informed and effectively managed labour market.

"This system addresses the critical need for readily accessible and organized labour market information and statistics. We are confident that it will empower the Government of South Sudan to formulate evidence-based policies that promote labour mobility and strengthen the workforce across the country and the wider East African region," said John McCue, IOM South Sudan Acting Chief of Mission during the launch event.

The LMIS handover marks a significant milestone in South Sudan's journey towards a more informed and efficient labour market, paving the way for a future filled with enhanced employment opportunities and a thriving workforce.

For more information, please contact

Nabie Loyce in IOM South Sudan, email: nloyce@iom.int, Tel: +211 912380115.

ADONGO Janet, IOM Regional Office for East and Horn of Africa, email: jadongo@iom.int