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By Chukwuma Umeorah
In an interconnected world where globalization is a driving force, migration has become an integral part of economic growth and cultural reciprocity. However, the process of migration often comes with its share of challenges, particularly in safeguarding the rights and well-being of migrants.
Perhaps, the starting point in most discussions pertaining to migration is usually the ‘numbers. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the current global estimate is that there were around 281 million international migrants in the world in 2020, which equates to 3.6 percent of the global population. This is an exponential increase from the 174 million people in the past two decades, and experts have predicted that the numbers would keep rising.
One would argue that the quest for economic opportunities, better jobs, higher wages, and improved living standards tends to be the most significant driving force for a large portion of migrants. That is to say that most people who migrate often do so to become workers in their destination country. Therefore, the burning issue of protecting the rights of migrant workers have been at the fore of every government, organization, civil societies and other relevant stakeholders. One would argue that the best way to do so would be through fair and ethical migration.
Fair migration is a concept that advocates for the protection and promotion of the human and labour rights of migrant workers, as well as the recognition of their contributions to the development of both their countries of origin and destination. The practice of fair migration can also contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially those related to decent work, reduced inequalities, gender equality and partnerships for development.
It would be out of place to discuss how fair migration can bolster the rights of migrant workers without first identifying the barrage of challenges that they face. Some of these include exploitation and labor rights violations, discrimination, language barriers hindering effective communication, lack of social support networks, limited access to healthcare services and legal vulnerability particularly for undocumented migrants.
Others include difficulties in adapting to a new culture, customs, and social norms, limited access to education for migrant workers’ children, risks of trafficking and smuggling, and overall, a lack of comprehensive legal protection and recourse.
How fair migration secure migrant workers’ rights
While the benefits of fair migration practices are inestimable to the migrants and to their home and destination countries, it would be pertinent to note that it can help in the following way:
Labour rights protection by ensuring that migrant workers are afforded the same labor rights and protections as local workers in the destination country including fair recruitment and wages, reasonable working hours, safe and healthy working conditions, and the right to join trade unions and engage in collective bargaining.
Experts also expressed that it will eliminate exploitation and abuse of migrant workers, such as human trafficking, forced labor, and debt bondage.
Fair migration could also create awareness among migrant workers about their rights and responsibilities, as well as providing information on legal channels for migration. This empowers migrants to make informed decisions and seek assistance when needed.
It will equally ensure that the migrants have access to essential social services, including healthcare, education, and social protection, regardless of their immigration status.
An immigrants with a legal status, could easily integrate and work as his or her and qualification would be recognized, which can lead to better job opportunities and more meaningful contributions to the host country’s economy.
Others include, collaboration between countries of origin, transit, and destination, as well as international organizations and civil society groups. This cooperation ensures comprehensive approaches to migration management and protection of migrant rights.
Pushing for policy changes and legal reforms that address gaps and shortcomings in existing migration frameworks, experts opined that this can lead to improved conditions and protections for migrant workers.
Perhaps the last on the strata as it plays out is when a person completes the migration cycle.
This extends support to returnee migrants to their country of origin, helping them reintegrate into society through employment opportunities and community programs.
Nigeria’s perspective
As these issues cut across all countries and they strive for fair and ethical migration, a powerful arsenal of instruments and documents have been deployed in Nigeria. Some of these include the Information Guide developed by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) for returning-migrant workers, the Media Toolkit for Forced Labour and Fair Recruitment which was contextualized for use in NIgeria with support for the project as well as the Migrant Recruitment Advisor (MRA)
At the forefront of this endeavour stands the International Labour Organization (ILO), committed to shaping a world where migration is fair, and rights are respected. Saddled with this primary responsibility through the development and enforcement of international labour standards and to support the implementation of these instruments, the ILO has launched several initiatives that provide technical assistance, capacity building, research and advocacy on fair labour migration.
Over the last couple of weeks in Nigeria, the ILO through its Fairway initiative organized learning and refresher training for stakeholders in its community of practice which includes media, civil societies and trade unions on resources that have been developed to improve fair migration and recruitment practice.
According to the National Project Coordinator for the Fairway Programme, Nigeria, Austin Erameh, the initiative is a 4-year inter regional programme being implemented by ILO with support from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) facilitating stakeholder engagement in developing labour migration governance frameworks, building capacity as well as sensitizing the public, both migrants and intending migrants.
Emeka Chris Obiezu, Migration Policy and governance expert and IOM’s facilitator at the recently concluded 2-day ILO Fairway Workshop in Lagos stated that in the field of labour migration, migrant workers are identified as one of the most vulnerable groups. “44 percent of migrant workers across the world are marginalized and exploited. In order to mitigate this and reduce their tendencies for vulnerability, we are bound to use available resources and guidelines to mitigate this,” he said.
He added that as stakeholders interacting with migrants at grassroots, they would be provided access to these rights and the translation of these legal instruments to ensure they are protected both at home and abroad.
Representatives of the NLC from several states across Nigeria also participated in the incisive training to build their capacity and increase their knowledge of how they can continue in their strides to protect the interest of workers.
Role of media
In addition to the primary role of the media to inform, educate, entertain, they are mandated as part of their social responsibility to continue to spread the gospel of the ills of irregular migration while sensitizing migrants on the essentials.
One very effective guide to achieve this is the “ILO Media Toolkit for Reporting on Forced Labour and Fair Recruitment” which are sets of intelligently compiled resources and materials that aim to enhance the quality and accuracy of media reporting on migration issues.
According to the ILO, the toolkit helps journalists and media professionals to produce balanced, evidence-based and human-centered stories on migration that can inform public opinion and policy debates.
Tunde Salman, another facilitator at the training who lectured on the adaptation of the media toolkit noted that the increasing cases of migration has brought about the need to engage the process more methodically.
He noted that these products/resources are key to attaining fair migration practices across globe, emphasizing the importance of such training.
He said, “The media serves as a vital catalyst for achieving fair migration practice by informing the public about migrants’ rights and challenges, advocating for accountability and policy reforms, educating migrants on legal avenues and support services, and promoting transparent and ethical recruitment.
Through fostering open dialogue, challenging stereotypes, sharing success stories, and monitoring policy implementation, the media influences public opinion, shapes policymaker perspectives, and drives positive change in labor laws and regulations.”
He added that by amplifying migrant voices, collaborating with stakeholders, and promoting international standards, the media actively contributes to dispelling misinformation, fostering empathy, and creating a more inclusive and respectful environment that safeguards the rights and well-being of migrant workers.
One of the participants at the training, President Aigbokhan, Executive Director at Freedom of Information Counsel (FOIA) while sharing his thoughts urged the government to increase collaboration with stakeholders as well as to address some of the challenges of migrants and intending migrants which include a review of the existing requirements for migrating stressing that more emphasis should be laid on the skills and potentials of such individual.
The Chairperson of NLC, Funmi Sessi on her own part, pointed out the need for more collaboration with international governments and partners to ease the rigours of intending returning migrants, while easing their reintegration process.
She said that some people for one reason or the other want to return to Nigeria.
Noting that their reintegration should be without hindrance, she stressed, “that is why the NLC has come up with a policy for returning migrants.”
