By Michael Oche
The African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa) has launched a seven-month project aimed at tackling youth unemployment, unsafe migration and weak labour migration governance across the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The project, titled “Securing Safe Migration Pathways and Youth Employment in ECOWAS,” was launched at the organisation’s headquarters in Lomé, Togo, during a youth training workshop.
The initiative, supported by German Cooperation through the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), will run to February 2027.
Nigerian Pilot reports that the project focuses on Ghana, Nigeria and Benin, with about 70 young people participating in the launch and training programme.
Speaking at the launch, ITUC-Africa General Secretary, Akhator Joel Odigie, said the initiative reflected the organisation’s commitment to addressing issues directly affecting young people, particularly employment and migration.
According to him, the project is expected to strengthen migrant workers’ protection, promote fair recruitment and advance youth employment through trade union cooperation, training, organising and policy advocacy.
Odigie said the project will also address inadequate protection for platform workers while working with trade unions, the African Trade Union Migration Network (ATUMNET), governments and other stakeholders to improve access to information, representation and support for migrant workers.
According to the ITUC-Africa general secretary, the project will also strengthen young people’s participation in employment and migration policy discussions and promote greater investment in decent work opportunities.
He explained that the first post-launch activity is scheduled for Ghana from October 29 to 30, where youth organisers from Ghana, Nigeria and Benin will receive training on migration governance, rights-based organising, policy advocacy and public-budget monitoring.
The participants are expected to develop practical strategies for advocating safe migration pathways and increased investment in decent employment opportunities for young people.
The project will also feature the 3rd ITUC-Africa Continental Workshop on Migration, Peace and Security, scheduled to hold in Abuja, Nigeria, from November 2 to 4.
The workshop will bring together trade unions and other stakeholders to strengthen collective action on migrant workers’ rights.
As part of the Abuja programme, unions and relevant government representatives from Ghana, Benin and Nigeria are expected to work towards formalising the Union Migration Corridor Partnership.
The partnership will include trade union bilateral agreements, corridor hotlines and referral mechanisms aimed at improving protection and support for migrant workers along migration routes.
ITUC-Africa said the initiative was designed to ensure that young people have access to decent employment, protection when they migrate and a voice in decisions affecting their future.
