By FLORENCE ONUEGBU

The Federal Government on Monday reaffirmed measures aimed at promoting safe, orderly and regular labour migration through strengthened policies, inter-agency collaboration and public awareness.

Officials of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment stated this at the Stakeholders’ Dialogue on Policy and Practice of Fair Recruitment and Labour Migration Governance in Nigeria, held in Lagos.

The dialogue was organised by the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association, with support from the International Labour Organisation ACTION Project funded by the German Agency for International Cooperation.

Assistant Director in the ministry, Mrs Uchenna Williams, said the government had introduced several initiatives to address labour migration challenges and protect migrant workers.

Williams said the government had developed a National Policy on Labour Migration and a Standard Operating Procedure for International Recruitment involving 12 stakeholder institutions to strengthen inter-agency collaboration.

She said the ministry also organised pre-departure orientation programmes for intending migrants to educate them on the culture, laws and expectations of destination countries.

According to her, the programme also enlightens prospective migrants on identifying signs of exploitation and unfair labour practices, as well as channels for reporting such cases.

“The government has actually done a lot in this regard,” she said.

Also speaking, another Assistant Director in the ministry, Mrs Juliet Agunbiade, described migration as a reality that should be properly managed to maximise its benefits.

Agunbiade said migration was a right and, when properly managed, could contribute significantly to economic growth and national development.

She stressed the need for sustained stakeholder engagement and public enlightenment to address misconceptions about migration.

“Knowledge is key and information is very powerful. We should take the message to the people so they understand what migration is all about, its benefits and the dangers associated with irregular migration.

“Migration is not a plague or a disease. When it is well coordinated, it benefits both migrants and destination countries,” she said.

Agunbiade urged governments, development partners and other stakeholders to strengthen collaboration to promote regular migration and prevent exploitation and abuse associated with irregular migration. (NAN)

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