Trade, Migration and Law: Free Movement of Persons in the Southern African Development Community

This book explores how law and policy makers in the Southern African Development Community can reform their legal and regulatory frameworks to capitalize on the benefits of migration. It draws lessons from other experienced jurisdictions and proposes a revised approach to migration governance and practice in the SADC. Deeper regional integration allows citizens to move freely, but global trade in services is hindered by barriers. This book aims to address stringent immigration policies and promote unrestricted movement of persons for a vibrant trade in services.

Format: Hardback
Length: 190 pages
Publication date: 25 March 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive book delves into the potential of law and policy makers within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) regional structure to revamp the legal and regulatory frameworks in order to optimize the advantages of human mobility. By critically examining the regulatory initiatives and approaches in regions like the European Union, the Economic Community of West African States, and the East African Community, the book proposes a revised approach to migration governance and practice in the SADC.

Deeper regional integration enables citizens to traverse national borders with greater ease, and the services sector has become an increasingly significant component of global trade and investment. However, the global trade in services faces significant barriers at and behind the border, impeding the ability of service providers from developing regions to access key markets in their preferred modes of service trade.

Against this backdrop, this book aims to advance the discussion on furthering regional integration and trade through the movement of people by addressing issues related to stringent immigration policies. The book argues that achieving a vibrant and rewarding trade in services necessitates a more open-minded approach towards the unrestricted movement of persons.

The book explores various dimensions of migration governance, including border management, legal frameworks, and social integration. It examines the experiences of countries within the SADC region and other regions that have successfully managed migration and promoted economic growth. By drawing on these insights, the book offers practical recommendations for reforming migration policies in the SADC to foster greater economic cooperation, social cohesion, and human development.

In conclusion, this book provides a valuable contribution to the ongoing debate on regional integration and trade through the movement of people. By offering a comprehensive analysis of the challenges and opportunities, it provides policy makers and stakeholders with the tools they need to develop effective strategies for promoting human mobility and fostering sustainable economic growth in the SADC and beyond.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367711498