2021.2139.0

Facilitating regular labour migration in Central America

Human rights-based migration governance in Central America

Client: Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit u. Entwicklung
Country: Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama
Runtime: 01.05.2026 – 30.04.2029
Partner: Sistema de la Integración Centroamericana

Contact

Anna Lena Machado Schanz

Context:

Migration dynamics are changing in Central America. Fewer and fewer people are moving on as migrants in transit, and many now stay in the region. As a result, countries such as Guatemala, Honduras, Panama and Costa Rica face new challenges, but also gain opportunities.

Whereas Guatemala and Honduras are working on improved integration of returnees into society and working life, Panama and Costa Rica are finding ways of managing irregular migration and creating prospects for the migrants. At the same time, the region demonstrates a growing need for regular labour migration – for instance to address the labour shortage in certain sectors.

Objective:

The national and regional conditions for regular labour migration are tangibly improved, as governmental and non-governmental institutions cooperate better, establish clear rules and use existing structures more efficiently.

Approach:

The project improves cooperation between public authorities, civil society and the private sector, so that they no longer work in isolation and can make better use of the limited resources. To this end, it supports the countries in expanding their coordination and steering, developing multi-sectoral strategies, and applying concrete measures to make formal labour markets more accessible.

These activities ensure that migration is safer and better regulated and that migrants are treated more decently. At the same time they foster economic and social development in the region.

Context

Migration in Central America is changing: many people are staying in the region instead of going elsewhere. They are moving between countries in search of work and better living conditions.

At the same time, the region needs more workers in certain sectors, such as construction and agriculture. This is why regulated labour migration is becoming increasingly important. For countries such as Guatemala, Honduras, Panama and Costa Rica, this presents new challenges, but also opportunities. They can potentially fill vacancies and offer people better career prospects. To do so, they need to facilitate the movement of workers between their countries. This includes limited-term working models; for example for seasonal workers.

Objective

The national and regional conditions for regular labour migration have improved significantly, as governmental and non-governmental institutions cooperate more effectively, agree clear rules with each other and use existing structures more efficiently.

Approach

The project improves cooperation between public authorities, civil society and the private sector, so that they no longer work in isolation and can make better use of the limited resources. As part of this, it supports countries in expanding regional and intergovernmental coordination and management, developing cross-sectoral strategies and trialling them through specific measures.

These activities ensure that migration is safer and better regulated and that migrants are treated more decently. At the same time, they foster economic and social development in the region.

Last update: August 2026