By Aderogba George
Stakeholders involved in labour recruitment have emphasised the need for institutional collaboration to strengthen labour migration governance in Nigeria.
This consensus was reached during a panel discussion at the closing session of a two-day stakeholders’ consultative dialogue on fair recruitment and labour migration governance in Nigeria.
The dialogue was organised by the Employers’ Association for Private Employment Agencies of Nigeria (EAPEAN) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, with support from the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop aimed to align stakeholders’ activities with ILO Conventions 143 and 181, which underscore the protection of migrant workers’ rights and the promotion of decent work.
Participating organisations included the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), and Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA).
Others are; Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), among others.
The themes of the dialogue were: “Understanding the Landscape and Shared Responsibilities in Fair Recruitment and Labour Migration” and “Building Consensus and Defining Actions for Stronger Coordination and Fair Recruitment Systems”.
Stakeholders stressed the need to translate all discussions from the dialogue into concrete actions, highlighting the importance of collaboration among agencies responsible for migration management.
They also called for the NAPTIP clearance certificate to be made a mandatory requirement for all travel agencies involved in labour migration to ensure accountability and transparency in cross-border employment.
Participants noted that lack of awareness remains a major factor aiding illegal migration and called for regular capacity building for airport officers to curb the activities of illegal recruiters.
“NAPTIP, NIS and EAPEAN must form a joint committee. We need to work together, share information, and contribute sincerely to national development,” the stakeholders stated.
Earlier, the Director of the ILO Country Office for Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Liaison Office for ECOWAS, Dr Vanessa Phala, said fair recruitment must be carried out in ways that safeguard the rights of migrant workers.
Phala, represented by Mr Austin Erameh, Employment and Migration Officer at the ILO Office in Nigeria, said the organisation was pleased to support the dialogue.
She added that discussions would help produce a well-defined framework for fair recruitment and labour migration governance in Nigeria.
The NLC Focal Person on Migration, Mr Eustace James, said the adoption of ILO Conventions 143 and 181 was vital for promoting fair, transparent and rights-based recruitment practices.
He said the draft framework for international recruitment of Nigerian workers was a major step towards ensuring their protection and fair treatment abroad.
“These conventions emphasise transparency and fairness to protect migrant workers from exploitation, abuse and discrimination, while ensuring respect for their rights, including freedom of association,” he said.
The EAPEAN President, Dr Nzeribe Okegbue, said the dialogue sought to reinforce Nigeria’s labour migration governance structure through capacity development, policy coherence and stakeholder collaboration.
“Our collective responsibility is to ensure that the path to opportunity is safe, transparent and just; that no Nigerian’s work ambition becomes their vulnerability,” he said.
He also called for improved coordination among key institutions, digital transparency in the licensing and monitoring of recruiters, and greater empowerment of private employment agencies.
The EAPEAN Executive Secretary, Mr Jide Afolabi, said the workshop was designed to contribute meaningfully to the development of a draft framework that would guide labour recruitment practices in the country.
He said stakeholder consultations would help enhance fair recruitment and strengthen Nigeria’s overall labour migration governance system.
(NAN)
Edited by Tosin Kolade
