Peer Learning meeting of Trade Union Organisations in the Ghana-Nigeria Migration corridor held in Abuja
By Joan Nwagwu
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has partnered with the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Ghana to intensify efforts promoting fair, orderly, and regular labour migration.
Mr Joe Ajaero, NLC President, made this announcement during the opening remarks at a Peer Learning meeting of Trade Union Organisations in the Ghana-Nigeria Migration Corridor, held on Monday in Abuja.
Ajaero expressed that the NLC shared the International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) vision of exploring collective strategies to promote fair migration with the support of social partners.
He explained that the meeting would focus on identifying concrete steps for enhancing labour migration within the corridor.
“This engagement will provide opportunities to better understand the migration space and help harness the great potential and benefits of fair migration.
“It will contribute immensely to our struggle for decent work for all, including migrant workers,” Ajaero said.
Ajaero further emphasised that the NLC’s involvement in migration governance aimed to improve the activities of trade unions in labour migration processes, particularly through a rights-based approach.
“The goal is to strengthen the institutional capacities of trade unions, train relevant stakeholders, and better integrate migrant workers into union structures.”
Mr Joshua Ansah, Secretary General of TUC Ghana, highlighted the importance of the meeting as a platform to share experiences and strengthen collective efforts to address the challenges faced by migrant workers.
Represented by Mr Michael Angmor, General Secretary of the National Union of Seamen, Ports, and Allied Workers (NUSPAW), an affiliate of TUC Ghana, Ansah emphasised the need for collaboration.
He called for joint efforts to advocate for policies that support workers’ rights and welfare.
In particular, Ansah highlighted the importance of promoting decent work, fair wages, and social protection for all workers.
He stressed that these policies should benefit workers regardless of nationality, ensuring fairness and equality in the workplace.
Ms Inviolata Chinyagarara, ILO Senior Workers Specialist, noted that the partnership between NLC and TUC Ghana on labour migration was long overdue.
She called the collaboration a significant milestone in advancing the rights of migrant workers.
Chinyagarara also highlighted the ILO’s commitment to supporting workers’ organisations through initiatives like the Integrated Programme on Fair Recruitment Phase 3 (FAIR III), which sought to promote fair recruitment practices across key migration corridors.
She emphasised the urgency of enhancing collaboration and structured interventions to address the challenges faced by migrant workers, ranging from recruitment and employment to return and reintegration.