The Government of Nigeria validates a Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar Manual and Gender Mainstreaming Strategy relating to Protection of Rights of Migrant Workers through the FAIRWAY Programme

With support from the International Labour Organization (ILO), within the framework of FAIRWAY global programmme, the Government of Nigeria has developed and validated a Pre - Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) training manual, and a Gender Mainstreaming Strategy (GMS) relating to safeguarding the rights of migrant workers.

News | 29 August 2022
On the 17th of August 2022, the Government of Nigeria, with support from the International Labour Organization (ILO) and within the framework of the FAIRWAY global programme, have validated a manual for delivering Pre-Departure Orientation Seminars, and a Gender Mainstreaming Strategy relating to labour migration governance in Nigeria.

The knowledge resources have been developed based on a formal request from the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment for ILO’s support towards standardizing pre-departure orientation seminars, particularly through the development of a manual for this purpose, as well as a gender mainstreaming strategy to complement efforts towards operationalizing the revised National Policy on Labour Migration which as part of its novelty, introduced a chapter on gender mainstreaming.

Ms. Vanessa Phala, Director of the ILO Abuja Office noted that, adequately preparing and equipping intending migrant workers for life in destination countries is increasingly an important means for better migratory journeys and experiences. She urged the Government to fast-track processes relating to finalisation, and approval of the revised National Policy on Labour Migration which was validated through the support of the ILO in July 2021, while appreciating the Government of Switzerland for continued support to the FAIRWAY programme global.

Ms. Kachollom S. Daju, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, posited Government’s determination to facilitate fair and orderly migration, through pre-departure orientation seminars being conducted in collaboration with Social Partners for ready-to-go migrant workers. She added that, in a bid to standardize these processes, the Ministry of Labour is working with stakeholders including the ILO to improve services across the Migrant Resource Centres, as this remains the primary mechanism for delivering such trainings by the ministry.

Observing that the processes that went into developing the resources have been consultative and participatory in nature, Mr. Manuel Mühlebach of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) reiterated the importance for policies and processes takes into account the interests of women and men migrant workers, including through offering equal opportunities.
Identified by the government as two strategic knowledge resources required for improving the policy and practice environment of labour migration governance in Nigeria, the government through the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment (FMLE) initiated the process of developing the PDOS and GMS in 2021.

The PDOS manual is segmented into sections that offer pre departure information to intending migrants such as culture, customs, laws and policies, rights, and responsibilities, as well as adapting to work and life in destination countries. It provides relevant sections regarding post arrival support, including when planning to return.

The dedicated Gender Mainstreaming Strategy developed for the International Labour Migration Division is hinged on strategic pillars that include, coordination and partnerships, resource mobilization, protecting and promoting rights of migrant workers, as well as planning for sustainability.
    
Follow up engagement in this line of work entails an internal review, and quality control by the Government, a formal launch, and support towards operationalizing the resources.