Why ILO embarked on training workshop

By allcitynews.ng

That the training workshop by International Labour Organisation (ILO) have come and gone may no longer be news to industry watchers.
But the fresh news is that the lessons derived by participatants from that workshop will take a very long time to fade away from memory of participants

The programme was to build the capacities of its constituents’ and other stakeholders toward enhancing effective labour migration management in Nigeria, especially at the current post coronavirus pandemic period.

In his address, the Director,
ILO Country Office for Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Liaison Office for ECOWAS,Vanessa Phala, commended Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) for supporting the project within which ILO facilitated the training.

Vanessa Phala noted that the activity was designed through a consultative process where inputs have been received from the Ministry into the Concept Note, and it further reflects priorities captured in the 2021 Annual Workplan of the FAIRWAY project in Nigeria.

In addition he said the purpose of the workshop to ” Train staff of the Ministry on the use and applicability of labour migration governance frameworks and mechanisms for promotion and protection of rights of migrant workers in the context of COVID-19 in Nigeria;

“Provide opportunity to take stock of progress in implementation of existing national frameworks” as a reference to the national LM policy;

To “Enhance knowledge of Ministry staff in the area of labour mobility, fair recruitment and the future of work in the context of COVID-19; and
to facilitate a platform for intra-ministerial learning and engagement regarding information, assistance and support for migrant workers in the context of COVID-19”.

While declaring the programme open, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige opined that the programme took place at very crucial period in the country.

“Timing of this capacity building workshop on effective labour migration management in the context of COVID-19 in Nigeria is very apt in view of the global crises of COVID-19 Pandemic and its negative impact on the protection of the rights and welfare of Migrant Workers across the world.

“I am aware that the activity of this training workshop is designed to provide a platform for consultation and learning in the area of government role and engagement in facilitating effective labour migration governance, protection and promotion of the rights of migrant workers.”

In addition, the Minister said “Consequently, the government of Nigeria recognises the need for the promotion of safe, fair and regular migration in view of its contribution to national development. To demonstrate our commitment to the protection of the rights of migrant workers, Nigeria adopted the National Policy on Labour Migration (NPLM) 2014, as the governance framework for managing organized labour migration in and out of Nigeria, and ratified the UN International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families and the ILO Convention 97 on Migration for Employment.

“At this juncture, it is my belief that this capacity building workshop is a precious opportunity for all of us, as the importance of training and re-training to human capital development and organisational productivity cannot be overemphasised. Therefore, you are expected to make meaningful contributions, share experiences and information on the theme of this workshop during the discussion segment.”