The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) organised a one-day capacity-building training for focal persons from its affiliate unions on the Migrant Recruitment Advisory (MRA) tool to promote safe, fair and ethical labour migration in Nigeria. The training was held in Abuja.
The training aimed to promote fair recruitment practices for migrant workers, prospective migrant workers and Nigerian workers by strengthening participants’ understanding of safe, fair and ethical labour migration.
According to the NLC, the programme was designed to equip focal persons from affiliate unions with the knowledge and skills required to provide effective migrant recruitment advisory services, while promoting decent work, protecting the rights of migrant workers and strengthening the role of trade unions in ensuring fair recruitment and safe labour migration.
The Congress noted that educating workers about their rights under existing labour laws is essential because unscrupulous recruiters often exploit vulnerable and desperate job seekers.
Speaking at the training, the NLC Focal Person on Migration, Comrade Eustace James, described fair recruitment as recruitment conducted within the law, in accordance with international labour standards and with full respect for human rights, without discrimination and with adequate protection against abuse.
He explained that fair recruitment is based on legal compliance, internationally recognised labour standards and respect for both human and labour rights.
According to him, the NLC, in collaboration with the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), developed the Migrant Recruitment Advisory (MRA) as an online platform to promote fair recruitment and provide guidance to migrant workers.
He explained that the MRA is a web-based tool containing information on recruitment agencies licensed by the federal government of Nigeria, including assessments of their recruitment practices based on periodic reviews.
“Today’s programme is a capacity-building exercise for selected affiliate unions of the NLC with high levels of labour migration to enhance their use of the Migrant Recruitment Advisory tool.
“It is about intensifying advocacy and creating greater awareness of the platform. Although the tool exists, many Nigerians are still unaware of it.
“Even many of our members who migrate for work do not know about the tool. This training provides an opportunity for our focal persons to become advocates of the Migrant Recruitment Advisory,” James said.
Speaking on the effectiveness of the MRA, he noted that although the platform serves only as an advisory service, Nigeria recorded the highest level of utilisation among participating countries during its first two years of operation.
“We monitor visits to the website and the number of users accessing the platform.
“Between 2022 and 2023, Nigeria ranked highest in the use of the MRA. However, because we are not a recruitment agency, we cannot determine how many users eventually secured employment through information obtained from the platform.
“The MRA is strictly an advisory tool. It is neither a recruitment agency nor a migration facilitation agency. It provides information and guidance to help prospective migrants and workers make informed decisions regarding migration and employment,” he said.
James said the platform has recorded significant achievements since its introduction, particularly by enabling users to identify legitimate and government-registered recruitment agencies operating in Nigeria.
He stated that the platform also provides information on countries of origin and destination, skills matching, employment opportunities, understanding employment contracts, working conditions and access to decent work.
According to him, employers and government institutions also benefit from the MRA because it provides comprehensive information that supports responsible recruitment and labour migration.
On compliance by registered recruitment agencies, James said the MRA currently lists about 290 agencies operating in Nigeria.
“When you search for Nigeria on the platform, you will find about 290 recruitment agencies. We have reviewed many of them.
“Some have demonstrated compliance with the Fair Recruitment Principles, while others have not been rated. Agencies without ratings may not be operating in line with the required standards.
“The tool therefore enables users to identify agencies that are active and compliant with fair recruitment principles. However, we do not have the authority to delist or sanction any recruitment agency. That responsibility lies with the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment,” he explained.
James said the NLC is working closely with the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, as well as private employment agencies, to promote wider use of the MRA.
According to him, the collaboration is intended to help employers, workers and recruitment agencies identify responsible operators and encourage compliance with established fair recruitment standards.
