Abstract
This policy brief focuses on labour migration in Uganda, Kenya, and Ethiopia, analysing the effectiveness of their registration, licensing, and inspection mechanisms for recruitment agencies. The brief identifies that the lack of comprehensive national policies, insufficient resources, and an absence of bilateral labour agreements between countries are major barriers to safe and sustainable migration, often leading to irregular migration and worker exploitation. To address these issues, the brief recommends that Employers' Business Membership Organizations (EBMOs) advocate for stronger national and regional strategies, including better inter-agency coordination, the formal recognition of foreign qualifications, and a review of existing legislation to clarify the roles and responsibilities of recruitment agencies and government officials.