Qatar says it needs collaboration with Nigeria on labour migration.
The Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Qatar in Nigeria, Ahmad AL-Horr stated this in Abuja while on an official visit to the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige.
According to the envoy, “Qatar needs more Nigerian component in its labour force because the number of Nigerian workers in the country is limited”.
While assuring the government of Nigeria that his country cares about workers protection for engineers, doctors and indeed all other professions, the envoy said that machinery has been put in place for a formal bilateral agreement with Nigeria on the issue.
“We are processing the bilateral agreement between Nigeria and Qatar on the regulation of employment of Nigerian migrant workers in the State of Qatar.
“We need relationship with the Labour Ministry because the number of Nigerian workers in Qatar is limited. We want more Nigerian workers in our country”, he said.
Addressing unemployment
Responding, the Minister of Labour and Employment Dr Chris Ngige, said his Ministry was looking towards formalising the bilateral agreement between Nigeria and Qatar on labour migration.
Ngige blamed what he called the alarming rate of unemployment in Africa on the youth bulge of people between the ages of 17 and 35, who constitute 60 percent of the population.
“In Nigeria, they (youths) are in the neighborhood of that same 60 percent.We have unemployment ratio of about 34 percent. If you include underemployment, you will be talking about close to 40 percent, which is also very alarming.
“That is why we are looking forward as a country towards formalizing labour migration agreement with you. Your country has been identified as one of the destinations for people who are looking for work.
“You have even reiterated here that the Nigerian component of foreign workers in your place is limited. That is why we are very interested in this agreement”, Ngige said.
He said that Nigeria is working assiduously towards ensuring that it is one of the agreements the President will sign during his planned State visit to Qatar.
“We need Nigerians to work in your place. We also appeal to you to find a way of formalising the stay of Nigerians who are living and working in your place illegally”.
The Minister expressed hope that Nigerians would work well in Qatar as both countries are oil and gas producing countries adding that a lot of Nigerians trained in oil and gas would be assets to Qatar if allowed to work in the country.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Job Creation, Mrs. Matilda Mmegwa and some Directors in the Ministry were also on ground to receive the Qatar envoy.
Emmanuel Ukoh
