The director-general of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association, Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, on Monday expressed worry at the high percentage of expatriates who lacked work permits but are doing jobs that could be handled by Nigerians.

Mr Oyerinde was reacting to a recent report quoting the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, as saying that 90 per cent of expatriates doing jobs meant for Nigerians lacked proper work permits.

He said that the percentage highlighted by the minister was not only worrisome but posed a security risk.

Mr Oyerinde said that it was expected that structures and frameworks to safeguard local jobs should be thoroughly implemented.

According to him, such structures and frameworks would prevent foreigners from doing jobs that should be taken up by Nigerians.

“This comment by the honourable minister affirms the huge job facing the ministry, as there is need for urgent reversal of this trend.

“While expatriates with legal work permits should be protected and given necessary guarantees, those without work permits should be made to either regularise their papers or guided out of the country,” he said.

Reacting also, Eustace James, senior assistant general secretary, Nigeria Labour Congress, said that the labour centre advocated the protection of human and labour rights of migrant workers and their families.

“Whether called expatriates or migrant workers, they have rights, and the government must pursue providing legal pathways for them to become documented.

“We must advocate protection of Nigerians working outside Nigeria and non-Nigerians working in Nigeria,” he said.

The labour leader also called on government agencies to ensure effective enforcement and implementation of laws and policies regulating migration and labour migration.

Mr James said that any sharp practices by personnel of any border management agency leading to expatriates working in Nigeria without permits should be addressed. 

(NAN)