By Michael Oche
In a bid to proffer solutions to migrant recruitment exploitation and address widening protection gaps, the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the African Trade Union Migration Network (ATUMNET) is set to meet in Abuja, along with other stakeholders.
Nigerian Pilot reports that the Abuja meeting scheduled to hold between May 18 – 20, 2026 comes against the backdrop of increasing labour migration across the continent, amid persistent gaps in protection systems, weak enforcement of fair recruitment standards, and limited coordination among support institutions.
A statement by the African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa) noted that the high-level meeting is expected to bring together Migrant Worker Resource Centre (MWRC) focal points from across Africa to address growing concerns over worker exploitation, unsafe migration conditions, and limited access to justice.
The workshop, convened under the ILO’s Fair Migration Agenda and Fair Recruitment Initiative, will focus on developing practical, worker-centred solutions to curb exploitative recruitment practices and strengthen protection mechanisms for migrant workers.
“Central to discussions will be the development of a regional strategy to guide the operations of MWRCs across Africa, with a focus on strengthening governance structures, enhancing service delivery, and promoting peer learning among member networks,” the statement noted.
The outcome of the Abuja workshop could shape a more coordinated, continent-wide response to labour migration, at a time when failure to act risks exposing millions of African workers to deepening vulnerability.
