By Rakiya A.Muhammad
Every corner of the world is home to individuals dedicated to building our homes, harvesting our food, and caring for our loved ones. They are migrant workers who substantially contribute to economic development and prosperity.
Remittance flows to low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) reached an estimated $656 billion, according to the World Bank’s Migration and Development Brief, released in June 2024.
Nigeria ranks among the top beneficiaries of remittances in Africa.
Olayemi Cardoso, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, reveals that remittances from Nigerians living abroad surged by 130 per cent to $553 million in July 2024 compared to the same month in 2023.
He adds that Nigerians in the Diaspora no longer send money back home through unconventional methods, attributing the change to the reforms implemented by the apex bank in recent months.
But how does this money change people’s lives?
Silent Lifeline
“Remittances are not just financial assistance,” remarks Taiwo Kayode, an advocate for international rights.
“They are investments in entrepreneurship, health care, and education; remittances from the diaspora have become a lifeline for millions of Nigerians, enabling families to overcome poverty and create better lives.”
Madam Comfort Michael was apprehensive when her son, an IT specialist, moved abroad.
Now, she worries less as he is doing fine and sends money home regularly.
“His sacrifice keeps our family alive,” proclaims a re-energised mother, highlighting the courage and sacrifice of migrant workers.
“In his pursuit of a better life for his loved ones back home, he travelled overseas. We are grateful for the opportunity to make that a reality.”
Potential for Exploitation
While Migration is becoming an essential survival tactic, the potential for exploitation is a significant concern that casts a shadow over the prospect of success.
Unsafe working conditions, inadequate protections, and forced labour are realities for many migrant workers.
“I endured minimal pay, hard hours, and dangerous working conditions,” a migrant said after returning home.” Employers exploit our precarious situations by refusing to provide us with fundamental labour safeguards.”
From exploitation in the workplace to human trafficking, prejudice, discrimination, limited service access, and social protection exclusion, there are many forms of unfair treatment and vulnerability. The list goes on.
The 2022 Global Estimate of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) reveals that a staggering 27.6 million individuals are in forced labour.
“Victims of forced labour include 17.3million exploited in the private sector, 6.3million in forced commercial sexual exploitation, and 3.9million in forced labour imposed by the state,” it elucidates.
“39.4% of them are women and girls (4.9nillion in forced commercial sexual exploitation and 6 million in other economic sectors; 12% of them are children (3.3million) more than half of these children are in commercial sexual exploitation.”
ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo illuminates the unequal and discriminatory treatment of migrants.
“There are 169 million migrant workers globally; many face inequalities and are vulnerable to human rights abuses.” ILO observes,” In several countries, migrant workers earn 25% less than nationals and are three times more at risk of forced labour than non-migrants.”
It also notes that women migrants face a double wage penalty with a higher gender pay gap.
Many, including the rights advocate, express concern over current affairs, underscoring the urgent need for policy changes and better protection for migrant workers.
“Migration should be a secure decision, not a last-ditch attempt to flee,” Kayode asserts.” Yet, many are compelled to remain in the shadows, susceptible to exploitative and unjust labour practices.”
He urges a redress of the situation. “We must redefine migration because we are at a pivotal time.”
Nigeria is at a juncture in its efforts to establish secure and consistent pathways for its citizens as the global community struggles to address the intricacies of Migration. Will the move serve as a beacon of hope that safeguards the aspirations of millions, or will it be lost in the tumult of an ever-changing migration landscape?
Safer, Regular Pathways
According to Laurent M.J. de Boeck, chief of mission to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the United Nations’ principal migratory agency, the International Organisation for Movement (IOM), is collaborating with its constituents to advance the cause of safe, orderly, regular, and responsible movement.
“It does so through an integral and holistic perspective, including the links to sustainable development, to maximise the benefits and opportunities of migration and reduce the challenges posed to societies and migrants,” he explains.
“The Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration resolution, voted on by the General Assembly on 19 December 2018, is grounded in the 2030 Agenda and promotes the adoption of a whole-of-government and, amongst its guiding principles, a whole-of-society approach.”
He adds that the 2023–2027 IOM Strategy for Nigeria draws from the West and Central Africa Regional Strategy, which expresses the regional priorities for IOM based on the IOM Global Strategic Vision.
“As both Nigerian nationals and migrants may share common difficulties and challenges, IOM Nigeria engages with the whole-of-society towards achieving the objectives of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration.”
H.E. Minata Samate Cessouma, Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development at the African Union Commission, considers Migration an opportunity for the African continent, both for migrants’ countries of origin and for transit and destination countries.
“We need to intensify our cooperation if we want to unlock the potential of migration and achieve the objectives of the GCM,” Cessouma emphasizes.
But how do we transform Migration into a driving force for sustainable development throughout Africa?
“We must address the barriers impeding its positive impact through five priorities,” Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Claver Gatete advises.
“Prioritise the mutual recognition of skills and qualifications across African borders; allow the portability of social benefits such as pensions and health care; accelerate the African Continental Free Trade Area for greater labour mobility; integrate climate-induced displacement; and include migration data into national censuses and facilitating cross border collaboration for data collection.”
