Linus Oota , Lafia
The Nigerian representative in the African Union Economic, Social and Cultural Council (AU ECOSOCC) and chairperson, Social Affairs and Health Cluster, Dr Tunji Asaolu, has been appointed into the African Labour Migration Advisory Committee.
Dr Tunji, one of the 22 members, is representing the AU ECOSOCC and is expected to serve in the next five years with the mandate of ensuring the follow-up on the implementation, promotion and protection of the rights of migrant workers and members of their families.
According to a press statement signed by the head of media ECOSOCC, Mr Oba Olasunkanmi Adebusuyi, a copy made available to our correspondent in Lafia, the mandate is enshrined in the appropriate AU and International Charters and protocols.
He said its essence is to progressively achieve the free movement of persons and to ensure the enjoyment of the right of residence, the right of establishment and access to legal employment in host countries according to the July 1991 Abuja Treaty.
“This committee will also ensure and monitor the effective implementation of the AUC-ILO-IOM-ECA Joint Labour Migration Governance for Integration and development; facilitate harmonization of labour, social security and fiscal legal frameworks that promote and protect the rights of migrant workers between countries
“And in close collaboration with RECs; commission inter disciplinary assessment on issues and challenges related to the rights of migrant workers and members of their families among other responsibilities”
Speaking on his appointment, Dr Tunji said labor migration has played an important role in filling skills gaps and labour needs in several sectors of member states’ economy.
He added that there is the need for Africa to develop up-to-date labour migration management policies and principles in view of improving policy frameworks and legal instruments.
“I want to commend the AUC for taking this bold step that will ensure that the continent and its labour force enjoy the best of labour migration management,” he stated.
“Africans have huge potentials in agriculture, fishing, tourism, trade, construction and other sectors contributing to economic development in the continent and these should be guided seriously to ensure that beneficial feed-back effects of migration such as remittances, knowledge and skills transfers, and return migration that can make major contributions to economies of origin countries are properly handled,” he said