Our Partnership Has Been Fruitful, FMLE Permanent Secretary Tells HuCaPAN

By Our Reporter

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Ms. Daju, Kachollom mni has described the relationship between the ministry and the umbrella association of private employment agencies in Nigeria, the Human Capital Providers Association of Nigeria (HuCaPAN) as fruitful.

Daju stated this in her speech at the 11th Annual General Meeting of the association held at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in Lagos today, Wednesday.

She said that the partnership was in fulfillment of the Private Employment Agencies Convention, 1997 (No. 181) and Recommendation, 1997 (No. 188) which encouraged “full cooperation between public and private employment agencies as well as periodic meetings/training to update operators on procedures and operational guidelines.”

According to her, “Recommendation 188 indicates that such measures could include amongst others training of staff and consulting regularly to improve professional practices. It was in a bid to live up to this obligation as a respected member of the International Labour Organization (ILO) that we commenced 2014, the Annual Workshop for Private Employment Agencies. I am further informed that over the past eight years, the annual workshop has provided a veritable platform for interaction on issues of common interest and fostering compliance with regulations.”

“It is also gratifying to note that the scope of participation in the workshop has been broadened to include principals, user enterprises, Trade Unions, Ministries, Departments, and Agencies. The aim is to update all categories of employers and workers on their responsibilities and rights as enshrined in international conventions and labor legislations. Furthermore, the workshop which started in one location, Lagos, has over the years been decentralized and is currently being held in three locations to encourage more participation by PEAs.”

Daju who was represented by the Director, Labour & Employment department, Mr. John Nyamali added that in line with the “Ease of Doing Business” policy, the Ministry digitalize the processing of recruiters’ license. She said “I am happy to inform you that in a bid to ensure efficient and timely processing of applications for recruiter’s license, we have digitized the licensing process to make it seamless in line with the “Ease of Doing Business” policy of the present administration. With effect from 2023, all applications for recruiter’s license along with supporting documents will be submitted electronically and all processes including the issuance of license concluded within two weeks”.

She assured the association of the continuous support of the ministry. “The Ministry of Labour and Employment will continue to support your association to attain greater heights as long as your members remain committed to promoting the tenets of decent work in third-party employment.”

Earlier, in his speech, the President of the association, Dr. Olufemi Ogunlowo while welcoming members, guests, and observers to the 11th Annual General Meeting said that the association has continued to position itself as the voice of the private employment agencies in Nigeria. He appreciated the Ministry for its support of the growth of the association. He said that HuCaPAN membership grew from One Hundred and Ninety-Four at the last Annual General Meeting to Two Hundred Fifteen (215) with an addition of Twenty One (21) New members.

Commenting on the guidelines on Labor Administration Issues in Contract Staffing/Outsourcing and Non-Permanent Workers, Ogunlowo said “We received inquiries from members regarding the guidelines on Labor Administration Issues in Contract Staffing/Outsourcing and Non-Permanent Workers. The recent one is the Guidelines on Labor Administration Issues in Contract Staffing/Outsourcing, Non-Permanent Workers in Banks, Insurance, and Financial Institutions. There are similar guidelines in the oil and gas sector and the Food, Beverage, and Tobacco sectors, and we anticipate that more will likely come. Whereas our members are critical stakeholders in the value chain, regrettably, our Association was not involved nor consulted in the preparation despite our working relationship with the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment. Therefore, I use this opportunity to appeal to the FMLE to note this omission and kindly extend an invitation to HuCaPAN anytime in the future when there is a need for stakeholder involvement in policymaking. In the meantime, we are reviewing all the available guidelines to prepare the Secretariat for supporting our members.”

The President said that there was a need for the Chief Executive Officers of Private Employment Agencies to be meeting annually to discuss issues that affect the industry and the roles being played by the government in terms of policies, regulations, and support for our industry. “To this end, HuCaPAN and the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment have agreed to annually organize the Private Employment Agencies Chief Executives Conference in the first quarter of the year. The Conference shall be mandatory for Chief Executive Officers.” He urged the Ministry to reinstate the joint monitoring exercise to ensure that the outsourcing environment is better regulated and make quackery in the industry unattractive for unlicensed operators.

The HuCaPAN helmsman said that the association has reviewed the Membership Services and Benefits and consequently engaged an Advocacy and Compliance advisor with experience in industrial relations and law to provide free consultancy services to member companies in the area of contract review; drafting of memorandum of understanding/agreement; labor/industrial relations, and professional advice among others.

He said that HuCaPAN will continue to contribute to the country’s development, bringing decent jobs for workers, ensuring respect for Labour Laws and the practice of Industrial Relations, and so on. “We will continue to bring our expertise to the fore for national development.” He concluded.

In his goodwill message, the Director-General, of Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), Mr. Adewale Oyerinde congratulated the association on its 11th Annual General Meeting. He commended the association for its contribution to national development through job creation and employment services. He assured the association of the support of NECA adding that HuCaPAN shall enjoy more visibility in NECA programs.

A major highlight of the AGM was the presentation of the 2021 audited account of the association by the Bolu Adesina & Co and the welcoming of new members to the association. Members at the AGM commended the leadership of the association for prudently and efficiently managing its affairs promising to continue to support projects of the association.

The Human Capital Providers Association of Nigeria (HuCaPAN) is the umbrella organization of registered and licensed recruiters in Nigeria, also known as Private Employment Agencies (PEAs). It was a midwife by the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) and the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, with international guidelines from the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in 2007 and formally registered under the Company and Allied Matters Act 1990 in 2010.

The association provides a platform for Private Employment Agencies to interact with the regulatory body (government), labor, communities, and other relevant institutions within and outside Nigeria to develop and promote International Labour Organisation (ILO) standards and ethical practices in recruitment, deployment, and Management of Manpower in Nigeria.