Social organisations in Benin are working to promote safe and legal migration, upholding the human rights of workers, particularly those travelling to Gulf countries in the Middle East. In response to the trafficking risks faced by some domestic workers in these countries, reforms are underway and discussions are taking place to develop an advocacy document to submit to the Beninese government. This initiative is being led by the Multi-Stakeholder Migration Platform of Benin (PMB).

Amidou Adamou, a consultant, explains to Dialogue Migration the reasons behind these initiatives.

Why is it necessary to regulate the migration of Beninese workers to the Gulf States?

Mobility, migration and displacement are all part of human nature. For personal or circumstantial reasons, people have always sought to move in search of a better life, greater dignity and new opportunities. It’s a historical and natural phenomenon. People have always migrated from one place to another.

What is new today is the scale of migration, driven by globalisation. People are moving more frequently and in greater numbers than ever before and this is unprecedented.

This is why proper migration management is crucial. When people migrate, we must ensure that they reach their destination safely and with dignity. They need to be confident that they will have access to decent employment and social integration, which is necessary for their well-being.

Migration is inevitable, but it is now essential for every State to organise and regulate it. The state must oversee the regular migration of its citizens — a process which, in the context of a migration-based economy, can generate income and create jobs. In some countries, for example, remittances from migrants can account for a significant proportion of total GDP.

What is the current situation regarding migration from Benin to the Gulf countries?

The current state of migration in Benin shows that its population is indeed on the move. Migration has always been part of Beninese society, but it has remained largely unregulated for a long time. However, since 2020, the Beninese government has adopted a document titled Guide for the Immigration of Job Seekers to the Middle East, which aims to organise and regulate these movements in a scientific, administrative and technical manner. The aim is to prevent the tragic and distressing situations often seen on television or reported in the media concerning certain migrants.

Prospective migrants must now complete various administrative and medical procedures and work through accredited recruitment agencies. They must submit their applications via official channels to ensure that their migration is lawful and properly managed.

Currently, however, these agencies are suspended for administrative reasons. Solutions are expected soon, as the authorities are actively working to resolve the issue.

What about human trafficking in the Gulf states?

In the past, there was no proper regulatory framework or organisational structure in place. Consequently, the illicit trafficking of migrant workers increased significantly. However, since 2020, the government introduced a system to regulate these journeys, even to destinations that are often criticised, such as Kuwait and other Middle eastern countries.

Since then, migration to these destinations has become more regular and organised.

Doesn’t legalising travel still lead to trafficking, either on the other side or within placement agencies themselves?

No, because when something becomes legal, it necessarily becomes less likely to be illegal. Once prospective travellers are informed of the required procedures, they are legally protected.

The established framework stipulates that all prospective migrants must have a valid employment contract in place before they can leave. This means that migration is strictly regulated, and individuals can only travel after securing a two-year contract with verified employment conditions.

Is the contract therefore finalised in Benin?

Yes, but the individual must first complete the necessary medical and administrative procedures and compile their application file. This file is then submitted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for validation before being forwarded to the airport authorities.

Upon arrival at their destination, the worker is met by the partner agency of the Beninese recruitment agency, which is responsible for monitoring the implementation of the employment contract abroad.

The employer’s identity is verified, the job position is clearly defined, the salary is specified and the working conditions are formally established.

But what about the issue of excessive working hours and the mistreatment of employees by their employers?

The situation for workers is very different when they operate within a legal framework compared to when they work in the informal sector.

Unfortunately, some people bypass authorised agencies and seek employment through informal channels. As a result, they lack any form of legal protection.

By contrast, workers who migrate through approved agencies are protected because these agencies oversee the entire process. The Beninese agency, for instance, has a contractual partnership with an agency in Kuwait. This partner agency issues the employment contract and ensures it is signed by both the employer and the employee while they are still in Benin.

The working conditions are clearly defined, and there is a level of traceability and accountability among all parties — the agency, the employer and the employee.

Before departure, each worker is informed of their rights and responsibilities. Together, these measures help ensure the entire migration process is legal, transparent and responsibly managed.