Job Description

Development of a Thematic Brief focusing on Workers Organizations Contribution to Labour Migration in Nigeria.

National Consultancy Terms of Reference

Within the framework of the project

FAIRWAY Programme^[1]

Submissions to be received not later than midnight of 5th October 2023

1.    Background

In 2020, the International Labour Organization (ILO) commenced implementation of the FAIRWAY Programme supported by the Swiss Development Cooperation (SDC). The Programme is an interregional initiative and seeks to contribute to improving labour migration conditions from Africa to the Arab States. The initiative targets addressing capacity gaps of stakeholders to effectively protect the rights of all migrant workers especially women and other vulnerable groups along the labour migration cycle with specific focus of the labour migration corridor between Africa and the Arab States. 

Over the course of implementation, the initiative has significantly facilitated engagement with workers representatives, supporting capacity enhancement of Trade Unions (TUs) in the area of labour migration governance and management, including through developing knowledge resources and awareness raising activities. 

Notably, through the provision of technical support and additional resources within the framework of the programme, the Nigeria Labour Congress has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the General Federation of Bahrain Trade Unions^[2]. The MoU amongst other things contributes towards advancing trade unions’ effective contribution to protect and promote rights of migrant workers along the Africa - Arab states migratory corridor. 

A Trade Union Information Guide for Returning Migrants and Migrant Workers has been developed as a simple tool to provide hands-on information to assist migrant workers to navigate their way during return, readmission and reintegration. The Guide complements the national Special Operating Procedures (SOPs) developed by the Federal Government Agencies on Migration Governance in Nigeria.   

Through the support of ILO’s Bureau for Workers Activities, a trade union migration policy has been developed for workers representatives in Nigeria, complementing the National Policy on Labour Migration. Furthermore, the FAIRWAY Programme has engaged workers representatives towards strengthening the application and practical use of the Migrant Recruitment Advisor developed by the NLC with support from the African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa)^[1]

Towards operationalizing the normative contents of the MOU signed with GFBTU, additional support is being provided to establish a migrants’ committee that will include and work with migrants in providing departure orientation and education training for migrants in Countries of Origin, this engagement will

contribute to preparatory engagement in this regard, with a view towards positioning the NLC for kick-off of the Joint Working Committee established by the MoU. 

The foregoing informs the envisaged development of a thematic brief focusing on workers organizations contribution to labour migration in Nigeria. The brief shall attempt to draw inferences from learning so far in engaging workers representatives, pulling together resources to provide reference and guidance for stakeholders across varying levels of engagement in ensuring due country specific information is available during dialogue and advocacy.

1.    Rationale 

The development of the intended brief is envisaged to provide a copious overview of how Trade Unions and workers representatives facilitate nuanced engagement, and intersect social dialogue spaces, thereby contributing to effectiveness of labour migration governance frameworks and processes. It draws on past, ongoing, and future planned work with ILO constituents, particularly the workers representatives in the broad implementation of initiatives of stakeholders and partners alike, and further contributes to the body of knowledge and literature for policy engagement and researchers alike seeking country specific information and data relating to trade unions involvement in labour migration in Nigeria.      

In the area of assessing the national landscape relating to decent work agenda and migrant rights protection, related thematic issues that include employment promotion, social dialogue, rights, voice, and representation, as well as extending social protection, vis a vis the level of coherence with other policies and topics required for putting in proper perspective wholesome safeguard mechanisms for migrant workers, the brief would complement measures and efforts ongoing that seek to generate in-country specific evidence in this regard for future engagement, advocacy and social dialogue.   

The assignment seeks to further consolidate and builds upon the country adaptation and application of ILO’s Media Toolkit on Forced Labour and Fair Recruitment adapted for use in Nigeria.