Legal Protection of Free Movement of Labour Within the East African Community: A Comparative Analysis

Rwebangira Gaspardus Kamuntu; Marwa Felix John

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijls.20250804.23

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Legal Protection of Free Movement of Labour Within the East African Community: A Comparative Analysis

Rwebangira Gaspardus Kamuntu^*

, Marwa Felix John

Published in International Journal of Law and Society (Volume 8, Issue 4)

Received: 7 November 2025 Accepted: 5 December 2025 Published: 24 December 2025

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Abstract

This article critically examines the legal and institutional frameworks that govern the protection of employees’ right to free movement of labour within the East African Community (EAC), with particular focus on Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi. The EAC Common Market Protocol (CMP), which came into force in 2010, sets out clear commitments for partner states to guarantee the free movement of persons, labour, goods, and services, aiming at promoting deeper economic integration and equitable social development in the region. However, more than a decade after its adoption, the practical implementation of these commitments remains fragmented and inconsistent. National immigration laws, restrictive work permit regimes, the lack of harmonized standards for the recognition of qualifications, and the non-transferability of social security benefits continue to pose significant obstacles to the free movement of workers. This paper analyzes the constitutional, statutory, and policy measures that each of the five states has put in place to comply with the CMP. The article concludes that while significant progress has been made in protecting workers’ fundamental rights within national contexts, deeper harmonization of labour laws, elimination of discriminatory administrative practices, and stronger political will are essential for realizing the EAC’s goal of a truly integrated labour market.

Published in	International Journal of Law and Society (Volume 8, Issue 4)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijls.20250804.23
Page(s)	403-426
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

East African Community, East African Community Charter, Common Market Protocol, Free Movement of Labour, Workers’ Rights and Freedoms, Labour Migration

References

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Kamuntu, R. G., John, M. F. (2025). Legal Protection of Free Movement of Labour Within the East African Community: A Comparative Analysis. International Journal of Law and Society, 8(4), 403-426. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijls.20250804.23

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Kamuntu, R. G.; John, M. F. Legal Protection of Free Movement of Labour Within the East African Community: A Comparative Analysis. Int. J. Law Soc. 2025, 8(4), 403-426. doi: 10.11648/j.ijls.20250804.23

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Kamuntu RG, John MF. Legal Protection of Free Movement of Labour Within the East African Community: A Comparative Analysis. Int J Law Soc. 2025;8(4):403-426. doi: 10.11648/j.ijls.20250804.23

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@article{10.11648/j.ijls.20250804.23,
  author = {Rwebangira Gaspardus Kamuntu and Marwa Felix John},
  title = {Legal Protection of Free Movement of Labour Within the East African Community: A Comparative Analysis},
  journal = {International Journal of Law and Society},
  volume = {8},
  number = {4},
  pages = {403-426},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijls.20250804.23},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijls.20250804.23},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijls.20250804.23},
  abstract = {This article critically examines the legal and institutional frameworks that govern the protection of employees’ right to free movement of labour within the East African Community (EAC), with particular focus on Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi. The EAC Common Market Protocol (CMP), which came into force in 2010, sets out clear commitments for partner states to guarantee the free movement of persons, labour, goods, and services, aiming at promoting deeper economic integration and equitable social development in the region. However, more than a decade after its adoption, the practical implementation of these commitments remains fragmented and inconsistent. National immigration laws, restrictive work permit regimes, the lack of harmonized standards for the recognition of qualifications, and the non-transferability of social security benefits continue to pose significant obstacles to the free movement of workers. This paper analyzes the constitutional, statutory, and policy measures that each of the five states has put in place to comply with the CMP. The article concludes that while significant progress has been made in protecting workers’ fundamental rights within national contexts, deeper harmonization of labour laws, elimination of discriminatory administrative practices, and stronger political will are essential for realizing the EAC’s goal of a truly integrated labour market.},
 year = {2025}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Legal Protection of Free Movement of Labour Within the East African Community: A Comparative Analysis
AU  - Rwebangira Gaspardus Kamuntu
AU  - Marwa Felix John
Y1  - 2025/12/24
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Author Information

Rwebangira Gaspardus Kamuntu

Department of Public Law, Catholic University of Mbeya, Mbeya, United Republic of Tanzania

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http://orcid.org/0009-0006-6278-9213
Marwa Felix John

Department of Private Law, Catholic University of Mbeya, Mbeya, United Republic of Tanzania

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0001-2138-6673

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APA Style

Kamuntu, R. G., John, M. F. (2025). Legal Protection of Free Movement of Labour Within the East African Community: A Comparative Analysis. International Journal of Law and Society, 8(4), 403-426. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijls.20250804.23

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ACS Style

Kamuntu, R. G.; John, M. F. Legal Protection of Free Movement of Labour Within the East African Community: A Comparative Analysis. Int. J. Law Soc. 2025, 8(4), 403-426. doi: 10.11648/j.ijls.20250804.23

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AMA Style

Kamuntu RG, John MF. Legal Protection of Free Movement of Labour Within the East African Community: A Comparative Analysis. Int J Law Soc. 2025;8(4):403-426. doi: 10.11648/j.ijls.20250804.23

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@article{10.11648/j.ijls.20250804.23,
  author = {Rwebangira Gaspardus Kamuntu and Marwa Felix John},
  title = {Legal Protection of Free Movement of Labour Within the East African Community: A Comparative Analysis},
  journal = {International Journal of Law and Society},
  volume = {8},
  number = {4},
  pages = {403-426},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijls.20250804.23},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijls.20250804.23},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijls.20250804.23},
  abstract = {This article critically examines the legal and institutional frameworks that govern the protection of employees’ right to free movement of labour within the East African Community (EAC), with particular focus on Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi. The EAC Common Market Protocol (CMP), which came into force in 2010, sets out clear commitments for partner states to guarantee the free movement of persons, labour, goods, and services, aiming at promoting deeper economic integration and equitable social development in the region. However, more than a decade after its adoption, the practical implementation of these commitments remains fragmented and inconsistent. National immigration laws, restrictive work permit regimes, the lack of harmonized standards for the recognition of qualifications, and the non-transferability of social security benefits continue to pose significant obstacles to the free movement of workers. This paper analyzes the constitutional, statutory, and policy measures that each of the five states has put in place to comply with the CMP. The article concludes that while significant progress has been made in protecting workers’ fundamental rights within national contexts, deeper harmonization of labour laws, elimination of discriminatory administrative practices, and stronger political will are essential for realizing the EAC’s goal of a truly integrated labour market.},
 year = {2025}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Legal Protection of Free Movement of Labour Within the East African Community: A Comparative Analysis
AU  - Rwebangira Gaspardus Kamuntu
AU  - Marwa Felix John
Y1  - 2025/12/24
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijls.20250804.23
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijls.20250804.23
T2  - International Journal of Law and Society
JF  - International Journal of Law and Society
JO  - International Journal of Law and Society
SP  - 403
EP  - 426
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2640-1908
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijls.20250804.23
AB  - This article critically examines the legal and institutional frameworks that govern the protection of employees’ right to free movement of labour within the East African Community (EAC), with particular focus on Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi. The EAC Common Market Protocol (CMP), which came into force in 2010, sets out clear commitments for partner states to guarantee the free movement of persons, labour, goods, and services, aiming at promoting deeper economic integration and equitable social development in the region. However, more than a decade after its adoption, the practical implementation of these commitments remains fragmented and inconsistent. National immigration laws, restrictive work permit regimes, the lack of harmonized standards for the recognition of qualifications, and the non-transferability of social security benefits continue to pose significant obstacles to the free movement of workers. This paper analyzes the constitutional, statutory, and policy measures that each of the five states has put in place to comply with the CMP. The article concludes that while significant progress has been made in protecting workers’ fundamental rights within national contexts, deeper harmonization of labour laws, elimination of discriminatory administrative practices, and stronger political will are essential for realizing the EAC’s goal of a truly integrated labour market.
VL  - 8
IS  - 4
ER  -

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