HuCaPAN seeks recruiters’ involvement in labour migration

The Human Capital Providers Association of Nigeria (HuCaPAN) has urged stakeholders to enhance international recruiters’ involvement in labour migration and recruitment practices.

President of HuCaPAN, Dr Olufemi Ogunlowo, at a stakeholders’ meeting on the development of a framework facilitating international recruitment in Abuja, observed that there has been significant improvement in both fresh applications and the renewal of recruiters’ licenses, which confirms that the international recruitment of migrant workers is underway.

He explained that the purpose of the gathering was to involve stakeholders in discussing the achievements and progress made by HuCaPAN and its affiliate members in terms of enhancing international recruitment processes.

He further informed that the stakeholders met to present a preliminary version of the framework for facilitating Private Employment Agencies (PEAs) engagement during the international recruitment of Nigerian migrant workers, receive feedback and exchange ideas on enhancing international recruiters’ involvement in labour migration and recruitment practices.

However, he hinted that the association is concerned that despite the existence of operational guidelines and frameworks, there has not been the expected improvement in international recruitment.

“This unfortunate situation has allowed unqualified individuals to operate in the industry without oversight. Since immigration is a fundamental right that cannot be impeded, if official channels are restricted, people will resort to illegal means, which is detrimental to national growth and our industry.

“In recent times, HuCaPAN has been at the forefront of advocating for the standardization of recruitment methods in Nigeria, particularly concerning the international recruitment of migrant workers. This can only be achieved through the effective implementation of relevant legislation, policies, and ethical guidelines for Private Employment Agencies (PEAs). We have a strong belief that the ongoing development of a comprehensive framework will further reinforce existing policies and enhance labour migration and recruitment practices.”

The Director General of the ]Nigerian Employers Consultative Association (NECA), Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, said as an employers’ association, NECA plays a critical role in labour migration.

Oyerinde revealed that NECA provides a platform for private sector employers to interact with the government, labour, communities and other relevant institutions in and outside Nigeria to promote a harmonious business environment that will engender productivity and prosperity for the benefit of all.

“Its primary function is to protect employers’ interest and promote the private sector as a dependable engine of development. It serves as an external moderator for recruitment and selection exercises to ensure objectivity, neutrality and transparency; assists in the preparation of employment contracts, wages and salary administration, collective bargaining, and the management of industrial disputes; and provides a database on collective agreements, taxation and social welfare issues, amongst others,” Oyerinde stated.

The NECA scribe noted that the association has continued to ensure the promotion of fair labour practices in labour migration and helped to ensure that businesses have access to the talent they need, to grow and remain competitive.

He added: “We have also provided support and information to members on labour migration, such as best practices for hiring and managing migrant workers. This helps to ensure that businesses can attract and retain the best talent from around the world.”

On its part, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment said the presence of key stakeholders at the meeting is an indication of their commitment to the shared goal and vision of promoting better management of migration and decent work for economic and national development.

Cecilia Williams of the Department of Employment and Wages, who represented the director overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Juliana Adebamabo, said: “It is significant to note that the role of migration as an enabler of job creation and decent work as a tool for inclusive economic development cannot be overemphasized. This is because, the link between migration, decent work and sustainable development is widely acknowledged, as migration is the world’s oldest poverty reduction strategy; an indispensable engine for human development; a driver of economic growth, and a source of job creation and dynamic innovative cultures.”

She said the Ministry of Labour and Employment has over the years actively engaged stakeholders involved in the migration governance framework in the formulation and implementation of migration policies and programmes and will continue to do so to collectively address emerging challenges.

She assured that the Ministry of Labour and Employment is determined to strengthen labour migration governance based on feedback from stakeholders to ensure the protection of human, social, economic and labour rights of would-be migrants by international labour standards.

While underpinning the importance of stakeholders’ engagement in policy conception, development and implementation, she observed that the bottom-up approach ensures that the inputs and concerns of stakeholders shape policy decisions which ultimately ensures successful outcomes