Migrants’ rights: TUC launches Nigeria labour migration policy

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), on Monday, formally unveiled the Nigeria Trade Unions’ Labour Migration Policy, a strategic document aimed at strengthening trade unions’ engagement in labour migration governance and enhancing protections for migrant workers.

The Policy is expected to give trade unions a stronger voice in labour migration governance and reinforce mechanisms that protect the rights, dignity and empowerment of Nigerian migrant workers.

Speaking at the launch in Abuja, the Acting General Secretary of the NLC, Comrade Benson Upah, said the policy represents a major step towards aligning Nigeria’s labour migration framework with international standards and ensuring the rights of migrant workers are protected in line with the Decent Work Agenda.

He said: “For NLC and TUC, as other actors, to be effective in migration governance and frameworks, we must develop and adopt policies based on substantial evidence, taking into account the peculiarities, dynamism, and emerging issues, including the number of international migrant workers involved, their characteristics, and their employment patterns, etc.”

He noted that labour migration has become a growing global phenomenon, with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) estimating that 167.7 million migrants were part of the labour force of destination countries as of 2022.

“These men and women are crossing borders in search of decent employment and livelihood.

“For Trade Unions, the primary concern is the protection and defence of workers’ human and labour rights, and the entrenchment of the Decent Work Agenda, including for Migrant Workers and their families,” he said

The NLC acting general secretary explained that to effectively respond to emerging labour migration issues, unions must adopt evidence-based policies grounded in international labour standards, human rights approaches, and labour market realities.

He noted that the development of the new policy was made possible through collaboration with the ILO Abuja Office and was validated in 2022.

He explained that the document draws from several global and regional frameworks, including the 2017 International Labour Conference (ILC) Resolution, the 2018 UN Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, the 2019 Abidjan Declaration, the ECOWAS Protocol on Free Movement, the 2030 SDGs, and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

“The adoption of this policy strengthens our structures for improved labour migration governance in Nigeria and the ECOWAS region.

“We have affirmed that fair migration and responsive governance are some of the ways to tame the hazards of migration, poverty, and inequality. In essence, the pursuit of fair migration ensures that the migrants, their families, businesses, receiving and host economies all benefit. We shall continue to donate efforts in the realisation of this goal.”

In her remarks, Sandra Vermuijten-Alonge, head of programmes at German Cooperation (GIZ) Nigeria, described the policy as a critical tool for advancing the rights of migrant workers and deepening international solidarity among trade unions.

“Migration is a huge puzzle, and improving services to potential and returning migrants requires joint action. Trade unions adopting migration policies is a significant step toward protecting migrant workers, both those leaving Nigeria and those coming into the country,” she said.

Alonge emphasised the need for stronger collaboration between Nigerian trade unions and unions in destination countries to ensure migrant workers receive adequate protection.

She added that true international solidarity must go beyond attending global meetings to building practical alliances that defend workers across borders.

She congratulated the NLC and TUC for what she described as an important milestone and expressed optimism that the policy would trigger wider cooperation across Africa and globally.

In his goodwill message, the director of Employment and Wages at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Mr J.J. Akpan, described the policy as a milestone in the collective effort to safeguard the rights, dignity and welfare of migrant workers within and beyond Nigeria’s borders.

Akpan, who was represented by Dr Sunday Onazi, noted that labour migration has become a defining feature of a globalised world, offering opportunities for skills development, economic growth, and international cooperation.

He said, “However, without strong and purposeful policy frameworks, workers can become vulnerable to exploitation, unsafe working conditions, and social exclusion. This is why the commitment of the Nigeria Trade Union in shaping and promoting a fair, transparent, and people-centred labour Migration policy is highly commendable.”

NLC Labour Migration Focal person, Comrade Jame Eustace said one major focus of the policy is the protection of the human and labour rights of migrant workers.

He explained that the policy also outlines priority areas for trade union action in labour migration governance, strategies for ensuring effective trade union involvement and a clear guidelines for collaboration between trade unions, government, employers, and other stakeholders.

He said: “Nigeria currently has two national policies on migration and labour migration governance. However, for trade unions to engage systematically and institutionally, they need their own dedicated policy. This new document ensures that trade unions operate with clarity, consistency, and strategic focus while contributing meaningfully to national and international migration governance processes.”