LABOUR MIGRATION

International labour migration has become a key feature of globalization and the global economy, with migrant workers earning US$ 440 billion in 2011, and the World Bank estimating that more than $350 billion of that total was transferred to developing countries in the form of remittances. When properly managed, labour migration has far-reaching potential for the migrants, their communities, the countries of origin and destination, and for employers.

Skills Mobility Partnership Programme: Switzerland and Tunisia

The Skills Mobility Partnership Programme (SMP) stems from the bilateral agreement between the Tunisian Government and several European countries, including Switzerland. The aim of this partnership is to improve the labour market challenges in both countries and support youth skills development. Within the framework of the joint IOM-UNDP global programme of Making Migration work for Sustainable Development (Phase III), IOM has been mandated to implement the SMP programme in Switzerland, whereby IOM Switzerland will be working in close collaboration with IOM Tunisia and other local partners on this initiative.

Within the SMP programme, private sector companies in Switzerland will be supported with the sourcing and placement of highly skilled Tunisian talents into internship positions, based on their specific needs. In addition, IOM will build capacity in labour migration management by offering training and capacity building, pre-departure orientation to the migrants; policy and technical advice to the governments; as well as knowledge sharing.

Young Professionals Agreement (YPA)

Tunisia is one of Switzerland’s priority countries for international cooperation, with the two countries sharing a migration partnership.

Switzerland has concluded trainee exchange agreements with various countries, including Tunisia, to enable young professionals to acquire further professional and linguistic skills in Switzerland. Under the Young Professionals Agreement, work permits can be granted for a maximum of 18 months.

IOM's Vision

The International Organization for Migration strives to protect migrant workers and to optimize the benefits of labour migration for both the country of origin and destination as well as for the migrants themselves.

Principal Beneficiaries

IOM implements various labour migration programmes in 70 countries.  The beneficiaries of these programmes include:

• Migrants, their families and their communities;
• Local and national governments;
• Private sector entities such as employers and industry representatives; and
• Regional organizations.

Information for employers: are you hiring?

If you’re an employer within the private sector and looking for new talent, you can benefit by taking part in the SMP programme:

• Address your specific labour market needs 
• Reinfore your expertise by hiring highly qualified professional
• Upscale the skills of motivated young talent
• Support job growth and boost economic development
• Contribute to Switzerland and Tunisia’s bilateral relations and efforts in addressing labour market challenges in both countries.

Read our brochure to find out more about this programme and how you can participate.

Information for candidates: you looking for a new challenge?

Are you a potential talent, looking for the opportunity to kick start your career through an internship? Through the SMP programme, you will have the opportunity to:

• Strengthen your professional skills
• Improve your career prospects and employability
• Contribute to Switzerland and Tunisia’s bilateral relations and efforts in addressing labour market challenges in both countries.

Read our brochure to find out more about this programme and how you can participate.

Implemented in partnership with:

Coming soon.