The Labor Mobility Program, a key initiative aligned with President Nayib Bukele’s government objectives, has positively impacted over 14,000 Salvadorans by creating employment opportunities and promoting secure, organized migration pathways. In collaboration with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the program is transforming lives and communities across El Salvador.

Deputy Minister of Diaspora and Human Mobility Cindy Portal highlighted the program’s success, noting it as part of the government’s innovative commitments to improve migration conditions for Salvadorans. Since late 2021, the program has facilitated job placements for 14,000 workers, benefiting an estimated 56,000 Salvadorans when considering the average family size impacted per worker.

In 2023 alone, the Labor Mobility Program has contributed $29.2 million in remittances, accounting for 0.1% of the national GDP. These remittances have driven significant investments, including $8.8 million in housing and $3.3 million in local businesses, with 455 ventures financed by returning workers. Over 400 Salvadorans have also invested $1.8 million in education for themselves or family members.

In her remarks, Deputy Minister Portal underscored the program’s impact on reducing irregular migration. The Labor Mobility Program is part of El Salvador’s broader efforts under the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration. The country’s National Coordination Mechanism on Human Mobility is working across six areas, with a strong emphasis on labor mobility policies that ensure decent jobs and rights protection for migrant workers.

One beneficiary, Adoni Bladimir Campos, shared his experience: after working as a sous-chef in Missouri, he returned to establish two restaurants on El Salvador’s coast, employing over 30 people. Campos also founded the Mar y Vida Foundation, organizing weekly beach clean-ups to maintain clean coastal areas for tourists.

The event was attended by Nicola Graviano, Head of Mission of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and Aamir Alavi, Regional Refugee Coordinator from the U.S. Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM).