Facilitated by eTV's renowned media specialist, Chris Maroleng, the dialogue will take place at Southern Sun hotel in Pretoria, South Africa, starting at 09h00. Social security expert and ILO consultant, Prof Marius Olivier will be the keynote speaker.

Access to social security benefits across countries is limited for migrants in most Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries.  With increased movement of people due to regional integration, the portability of social security benefits becomes a critical issue that needs to be addressed. Migrant workers face the risk of losing their entitlement to social security benefits in their country of origin due to the absence of cross border coordination of social security and portability of social security benefits.

"Increased movement of people across the region is inevitable - but the policy and institutional environment in the region is not keeping up with the trend. The social protection systems in the region must keep apace with the economic integration developments," says Themba Mhlongo, Head of Programmes at the Southern Africa Trust.

Mhlongo further said that the forum is expected to have a robust debate on the issue with the hope of mapping out recommendations on best ways to improve the situation.

There are disparities in the level of development among countries of the region, which means that some countries are overall receivers of migrant workers.  South Africa, being the largest economy of the region, is the natural destination for most economic migrants seeking new opportunities.

Research by the ILO has shown that migrant workers and their families often face difficult economic and social circumstances when they lose their entitlements to social security when crossing borders in Southern Africa, and practical steps could be taken to address immediate administrative and legal constraints.

Representatives of ILO, National Council of Trade Unions, Ministry of Labour in Mozambique, the Department of Labour in South Africa, research institutions and migrant workers will be present.

The Southern Africa Trust is an independent non-profit agency that supports deeper and wider regional engagement to overcome poverty in southern Africa. The ILO, through its regional project Migration Sector is providing technical advice to countries in southern Africa on policies and instruments to improve access of migrant workers to social protection, in the light of international good practice and ILO standards on maintenance of social security rights.

All journalists are invited to attend the dialogue.  To confirm your attendance or to get more information, please contact:

Mpho Kgosidintsi                                                                        Boshigo Matlou

Southern Africa Trust                                                                  International Labour Organisation
Tel: +27 11 318 1012                                                                 Tel: +27 11 818 8062

Mobile: +27 78 459 0152                                                            Mobile: +27 78 803 7565
Email: communications@southernafricatrust.org                          Email: matlou@ilo.org