How To Legally Recruit For Employment In Nigeria

[Olajire Deborah]

How To Legally Recruit For Employment In Nigeria

The law makes provisions for recruitment of citizens for employment in Nigeria, i.e., by recruiters. But no citizen is to be employed until he has been medically examined by a registered medical practitioner at the expense of the employer.

Secondly, the recruited worker must have been brought before an authorized labour officer who would issue a certificate that the worker has been properly and duly recruited in accordance with the law.

Before issuing such a certificate, the authorized labour officer must ensure the following:

Satisfy himself that the contract of employment conforms with the requirements of the law;
Satisfy himself that the recruited worker understands and agrees to the terms and conditions upon which he is to be employed;

That the worker has not been subjected to illegal pressure or recruited by misrepresentation or mistake;

That the worker is allowed to be accompanied by the permitted number of family members as he wishes to take with him;

That the worker is of or above the age of eighteen years (except in cases where the Minister has approved the recruitment of a person above sixteen years with the consent of the parent and guardian, in the type of employment not dangerous or injurious to his moral or physical wellbeing).

That the worker has been medically examined and certified fit for the work for which he has been recruited.

Let me state here that there are specific provisions made in respect of employing workers whether within Nigeria or outside. It is an offence if any employer transgresses against these provisions. For example, it is against the law for any person to induce any worker to enter into any contract of employment by fraud, falsehood, intimidation, coercion or misrepresentation.

Any contract so entered will be rendered void, although, the employer or his agent must still pay whatever wages is due to the worker under the contract.

In addition, the employer or agent must provide for the return of the worker and any accompanying family member to their place of abode. If the employer or agent fails to pay the wages or fails to return the worker and family to their place of abode, the wages may be paid and the return expenses borne by the Federal Government. This will then be deducted from any deposit or security given by the employer or agent. If there is no deposit or security, then the Federal Government may recover the expenses by civil proceedings in court.

The law also prohibits employers from neglecting or ill-treating any worker whom he has contracted to employ under this law. Anybody found guilty of this provision may be sentenced to imprisonment, or ordered to pay fine, or both imprisonment and fine.

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