The General Secretary of Research and Policy Analysis at the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Eustace Imoiyera James, has urged Nigerians seeking employment abroad to migrate through legal and organised channels, warning that irregular migration exposes workers to exploitation, human trafficking and abuse.
Speaking on Trade FM’s Breakfast Business Briefing, James said labour migration has become increasingly significant as unemployment, insecurity, poor infrastructure and the rising cost of living continue to push many Nigerians to seek better opportunities overseas.
According to him, while countries offering decent jobs, stronger social protection, quality healthcare and better education attract migrant workers, prospective migrants must ensure they follow regular migration pathways.
He advised Nigerians not to accept overseas job offers without valid employment contracts and work permits, stressing that these documents clearly define workers’ rights, responsibilities and conditions of service before departure.
James warned that many victims of human trafficking and labour exploitation were deceived by fake recruiters after travelling without verified employment arrangements.
The labour policy expert also encouraged intending migrants to verify recruitment agencies through the Migrant Recruitment Advisor, an online platform developed by the NLC in partnership with the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), which provides information on accredited recruitment agencies and available job opportunities in selected destination countries.
He further urged prospective migrant workers to seek guidance from the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment’s Migrant Resource Centres, which provide counselling, pre-departure orientation and information on labour laws, workers’ rights and cultural expectations in destination countries.
James explained that exploitation remains one of the biggest challenges facing Nigerian migrant workers abroad, often resulting from irregular migration and failure to follow fair recruitment processes.
He maintained that migrant workers, regardless of their immigration status, are entitled to the protection of their human and labour rights under international labour and migration frameworks.
The NLC research chief also emphasised the importance of trade union membership, noting that organised workers benefit from collective bargaining agreements that guarantee fair wages, decent working conditions and access to social protection.
He called for stronger bilateral labour agreements and expanded legal migration pathways to promote safe, orderly and regular labour migration while reducing the activities of traffickers and other fraudulent recruitment networks.
