Promoting Better Management of Migration in Nigeria FED/2012/287-141 REPORT ON THE NATIONAL STAKEHOLDERS WORKSHOP ON THE VALIDATED LABOUR MIGRATION POLICY HELD AT VALENCIA HOTEL, WUSE II, ABUJA DATE: 27 th AUGUST 2013
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Preamble A one-day National Stakeholders Workshop on the validated Labour Migration Policy was organized by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity (FMLP) with the technical support of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) under the framework of the European Union (EU) funded 10 th EDF Project Promoting Better Management of Migration in Nigeria. The workshop was held on the 27 th August, 2013 with the aim of providing a platform for representatives of the State and Local Governments of Nigeria to discuss and endorse the validated Labour Migration Policy prior to its presentation to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for approval for implementation. The workshop was attended by 27 participants (13 female and 14 male) comprising of representatives of state governments, representatives of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, officials of FMLP and press members. Opening Statements The session formally commenced with a welcome remark by Mr. Martin Ocaga, IOM Chief of Mission who welcomed the participants and expressed his gratitude to FMLP for its continuous support and collaboration in the implementation of the project. He also expressed his gratitude to the EU for its generous financial support to the project. He noted that IOM supports governments to establish frameworks needed to promote and manage regular migration while mitigating irregular migration. He further noted that IOM worked through a collaborative process with the Technical Working Group (TWG) and the International Labour Organization to develop the draft Labour Migration Policy. He noted that the policy is comprehensive and was validated by relevant stakeholders comprising of state and non-state actors from across the federation. He highlighted the three broad objectives of the policy and the action plan which sets out clearly the specific activities for relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to facilitate the implementation of the policy once endorsed by FEC. He urged participants to gain a good understanding of the policy and sensitize their various constituencies on the importance of its endorsement. He also urged for their cooperation in the implementation of the policy so as to ensure it is beneficial to migrant workers, the country and humanity in general. In the goodwill message from the representative of the National Planning Commission, Mr. Chamberlain Okoro noted the paramount importance of implementing the policy and also the implementation is reliant on formidable institutional collaboration and coordination among stakeholders in labour migration management. He highlighted the common aspiration for the endorsement of the policy and expressed his hopes that the policy will create a pathway for Nigeria to harness the positive contribution of labour migration to development. He expressed his gratitude to the EU, IOM, FMLP and participants for their support and commitment to the policy. Mrs. Jessie Okpuno representing FMLP expressed her gratitude to EU and IOM for their support in the 10 th EDF project and in particular for organizing the workshop. She noted that the objective of the workshop was to inform participants about the policy with the aim of achieving its successful
implementation upon approval by FEC. She noted the objectives of policy stating that it seeks to promote good governance of labour migration, protect migrant workers and promote their welfare. In addition, the policy seeks to strengthen national capacity by ensuring stakeholders collaboration to manage organised labour migration, deter irregular migration and optimise the benefits of labour migration for national development. She noted the relevance of labour migration in ECOWAS common approach on migration and regional integration and also informed of the current administration s desire to address unemployment through the mechanisms of organised labour migration. She concluded by thanking the participants for their efforts. The Draft Labour Migration Policy An Opportunity The workshop resumed after the group photograph with Ms. Lily Sanya presenting the processes involved in the development of the Labour Migration Policy. The whole process began with the AENEAS programme in 2006 when IOM built the capacity of MDA officials to enable them develop the labour migration policy and also formed the TWG. Upon a formal request to IOM by FMLP to assist in preparing the policy and establish bilateral arrangements for facilitation of labour exchange, a consultative process with a range of stakeholders was initiated in 2008. In 2009, ILO facilitated a consultation between the FMLP, national employers association and trade union federations to obtain inputs on the proposed policy resulting in the first draft of the policy. Thereafter IOM supported in incorporating comments from stakeholders into the policy document as well as its review by the TWG members. Currently, under the framework of the 10 th EDF project, the policy has been validated by relevant stakeholders and recommendation was made for the policy to be presented to FEC for endorsement. Presentation of the Labour Migration Policy Prof. Aderanti Adepoju commenced by informing participants that the workshop is conveyed out of FMLP s desire to ensure the participation and all inclusiveness of stakeholders. Discussions on the labour migration policy focused on the mission, vision, rationale and objectives of the policy. He noted that migration dynamics in Nigeria started in the 1980s during the structural adjustment programmes. Due to lack of decent jobs, a large number of Nigerians emigrate in search of greener pasture and they are forced to accept all sorts of menial jobs. He cited cases of migrants who travel treacherous routes through the desert, by air or by sea out of desperation to migrate out of the country. He emphasized the need for the policy as it recognises the welfare of migrant workers rights and that of their families. He noted that all nine points contained in the rationale indicate the reasons for developing the policy. Prof. Adepoju presented the three broad objectives of the policy and selectively discussed the specific objectives under each broad objective. He emphasized the need for gender sensitivity given the large number of women who migrate independently; and by virtue of their vulnerability, there is need to protect and promote their rights and welfare. While presenting the structure of the policy, he cited good practices of countries like Sweden which have readily available data on migrant workers. As appropriate measures of good governance of labour migration, he highlighted the importance of promoting dialogue
between the social partners in Nigeria and their associates in other countries of the world. He further discussed the importance of establishing linkages with the diaspora abroad with a view to optimizing the benefits of labour migration for development. During the presentation of the action plan, Prof. Adepoju noted that it aims to provide a framework for the operationalisation of activities that are to be undertaken to realise the specific objectives of the policy. He highlighted the stakeholders and the corresponding expected outcome for each objective and further noted that FMLP is the lead agency responsible for implementation and each stakeholder s involvement differ from the other. He concluded by noting that the policy has been reviewed and revised by experts and has been validated by state and non-state actors, social partners, researchers and academia. It is home-grown, in line with national development plans, and meets international standards. He emphasized that the policy seeks to achieve the mobility of migrants in a dignified way. He urged for participants support for the endorsement of the policy. The interactive session focussed on the following: - A participant observed that the policy does not limit migration and raised concerns about Nigerians abroad who acquire other citizenships and fail to return; on how the government can restrict migration and also track Nigerians who migrate irregularly. - Another participant noted poor functioning government structures and labour migration related information dissemination to relevant stakeholders as major hindrances to policy implementation. He also highlighted the case of successful Nigerians abroad who do not wish to return to the country. - Taraba state liaison officer urged for attitudinal change amongst Nigerians and the end of corruption. - Another participant indicated the lack of implementation of policies and inconsistency and noncontinuity in government programmes as other major challenges in Nigeria. - To achieve desired result, there is need for financial commitment to address the issue of porous borders. - There is also need to sensitize the press, particularly editors on the way they report migration related issues to the public. - Mr. A. Adeyemo noted that it is essential for migration to be well-managed so as to achieve a win-win-win situation for countries of destination, countries of origin, and the migrants and their families. Responding to participants remarks, Prof. Adepoju confirmed the validity of some remarks made and further noted that migration is a human right. People migrate for various reasons such as life style, improvement of income but not necessarily out of desperation for survival. Foreigners have migrated into Nigeria for better opportunities even as Nigerians emigrate in escape of hardship. He noted that implementation of the policy will remain a challenge unless there is change in attitude and efficiency in the civil service which constitute the government. He highlighted the existence of an implementation mechanism involving all relevant MDAs and a score of activities such as advocacy and trainings that will be conducted to strengthen the capacity of relevant stakeholders to implement the policy. Prof.
Adepoju informed of the existence of a National Migration Policy that is coherent with the Labour Migration Policy and it contains a component on border management which is overseen by the Nigerian Immigration Service. He further informed of security fund allocations by the government which if optimally utilised will address border issues. The workshop ended with a recommendation of the validated Labour Migration Policy through a communiqué that was endorsed by participants present. The communiqué will be presented by FMLP to the Federal Executive Council for adoption. Supporting this report is a copy of the communiqué in Annexe A, ANNEXE B which contains some photographs taken at the event and the attendance list in ANNEXE C.