Overview of Abu Dhabi Dialogue
The Abu Dhabi Dialogue (ADD) represents a significant regional initiative for managing labour migration in Asia and the Gulf region. Established in 2008, it serves as a voluntary, non-binding consultative forum bringing together countries of origin and destination.
Member Countries
Countries of Origin (11):
- Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia
- Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka
- Thailand, Vietnam
Countries of Destination (7):
- Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar
- Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Malaysia
Organizational Structure
- Permanent Secretariat: United Arab Emirates (UAE)
- Chairmanship: Rotates between a labour-sending and labour-receiving country
- Regular Observers: IOM, ILO, UN Women, OECD, and civil society representatives
Temporary Labour Migration Model
The ADD operates on a governance framework with these key features:
- No permanent residency rights for migrants
- Residency strictly tied to employment
- Allows host nations to manage cyclical economic shifts
- Maintains community cohesion in destination countries
Three Pillars of Good Governance
- Protection: Ensuring the protection of migrant workers' rights
- Empowerment: Empowering workers to fulfil their goals and aspirations
- Equitable Benefit: Affording workers the opportunity to benefit equitably from outcomes of temporary labour migration
Significance for India
- India is among the largest sending countries of workers to Gulf nations
- Remittance flows from Gulf region constitute significant portion of India's foreign exchange
- Policy coordination helps protect Indian migrant workers' interests
- Dialogue provides platform for negotiating better working conditions
Related: Colombo Process
The ADD is closely linked to the Colombo Process, a similar forum for labour-sending countries. The 11 origin countries of ADD are also members of the Colombo Process, creating overlapping mechanisms for regional migration governance.