Bamako – On Thursday 11 April 2024 in Bamako, IOM Chief of Mission a.i. in Mali and the President of Mali’s National Employers’ Council (Conseil National du Patronat du Mali, CNPM) signed a cooperation agreement between their two organizations, with a view to taking initiatives that bridge the gap between migrants and decent work opportunities.

The cooperation agreement between IOM Mali and the CNPM aims to contribute to addressing the inadequacy between supply and demand on the labour market in Mali. To this end, joint actions are planned to strengthen training, job placement and skills development, as well as facilitating partnerships to foster opportunities and joint studies.

“This cooperation agreement is in line with efforts to strengthen technical support for private sector initiatives that bridge the gap between migrants and decent work opportunities and is fully in line with IOM Strategic Plan 2024-2028,” said Olivier GROSJEAN, IOM Chief of Mission a.i. in Mali.

Mali is a major country of origin, transit, and destination for tens of thousands of migrants, including young people potentially embarking on irregular migration. According to a recent study conducted with the support of IOM Mali, 92 per cent of returnees mentioned the lack of opportunities as the main reason for their departure. At the same time, a number of companies are complaining about a lack of local skills for some positions.

IOM Mali, which supports youth training as part of the promotion of local opportunities and assisted voluntary return and reintegration of migrants, is looking for training packages tailored to the needs of Malian companies. The CNPM, which brings together 38 employers’ federations and groups in Mali, is in a position to provide a better framework for the training provided, so that it leads to sustainable jobs and opportunities. Through the cooperation agreement, the two organizations are working together to facilitate training and support for young people in terms of internships and opportunities in Malian companies.

“Establishing partnerships with the private sector is essential to harness migration opportunities. Migration is not just an issue for the Government or NGOs, but for the society as a whole,” said Mossadeck BALLY, CNPM President and founder of the Azalaï hotels group, which now operates in Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali, and Senegal. Mr BALLY is also the Consul General of Monaco in Mali.

The implementation of this partnership should make it possible to provide training and employment alternatives for thousands of young people and migrants.

***

For more information, please contact :

IOM Mali Public Information Unit. Email: bquenum@iom.int, Tel.: +223 90 50 00 06.