Abuja: The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Wednesday organised a one-day capacity building programme for focal persons of affiliate unions on the Migrant Recruitment Advisory (MRA) web platform in Nigeria. The training aimed to strengthen trade union participation in migration governance, promote fair recruitment principles, and improve protection for migrant workers through ethical recruitment practices.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, NLC Deputy General Secretary, Mr. Benson Upah, stated that the programme reflected the congress’ commitment to promoting fair recruitment and protecting migrant workers from exploitation and abuse. Upah explained that the NLC, in collaboration with the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), developed and launched the Migrant Recruitment Advisory web platform to improve access to reliable recruitment information.
“The Migrant Recruitment Advisory platform is designed to strengthen transparency, accountability, and fairness in labour migration recruitment processes across Nigeria,” Upah said. He noted that the training would equip trade union officers to operate the platform, promote its use, and gather feedback from migrant workers to support evidence-based policy reforms.
Upah further explained that the objective was to make the Migrant Recruitment Advisory available for public use while building trade union capacity to promote fair recruitment principles. He highlighted that information generated through users’ experiences would strengthen advocacy, improve regulation of recruitment agencies, and enhance protection for migrant workers nationwide.
Also speaking, the NLC Focal Person on Labour Migration, Mr. Eustace James, mentioned that the training sought to promote fair recruitment for migrant workers, prospective migrants, and Nigerian workers generally. James highlighted that the web-based advisory platform provided information on government-licensed recruitment agencies, reviewed their practices, and guided intending migrants toward making informed employment decisions.
“The platform provides information on recruitment agencies licensed by the Federal Government and reviews their recruitment practices, particularly those involving migrant workers,” he said. He urged participants to serve as advocates for the platform, noting that many migrant workers and trade union members were still unaware of its existence and benefits.
James added that the platform also provided information on countries of destination, labour market opportunities, skills matching, and available jobs, helping prospective migrants make informed migration decisions. “It is an advisory tool that empowers workers with credible information. It is not a recruitment agency and does not directly facilitate migration or employment,” he said.
Ms. Ira Rachmawati, Project Officer, Human and Trade Union Rights Department, International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), commended the NLC for supporting the implementation of the project in Nigeria. “We secured valuable financial support, and I acknowledge the Nigeria Labour Congress for making the real-life implementation of the project in Nigeria possible,” she said.
Rachmawati stated that the project sought to build trade unions’ capacity and strengthen data collection to support evidence-based advocacy, policy reforms, and improved regulation of migrant workers’ recruitment. “The project’s goals are to build unions’ capacity and generate reliable data for advocacy, regulation, and improved protection of migrant workers through stronger migration governance,” she said.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that participants were drawn from NLC affiliate unions to serve as focal persons for Migrant Recruitment Advisory activities nationwide.