"Denied Opportunities": Nigerian Welders Raise Alarm Over Expatriates Taking Local Jobs
- The NUNIWE has warned that an influx of expatriates from abroad is displacing local welders and worsening unemployment
- They urged the FG to create an enabling environment for the welding and steel industries and strengthen regulations to protect local workers
- The NLC backed the call, also condemning the exploitation of informal sector workers who earn far below the national minimum wage
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Legit.ng journalist Victor Enengedi has over a decade's experience covering Energy, MSMEs, Technology, Banking and the Economy.
The National Union of Nigeria Welders (NUNIWE) has expressed alarm over the growing dominance of expatriates in the welding sector, warning that the trend is worsening unemployment in the country.
In an earlier report by Legit.ng, Uche Nnaji, a former Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, had expressed concern about the unequal treatment accorded to local welders compared to their foreign counterparts.
Source: UGC
Speaking at the presentation of the union’s certification registration in Lagos, NUNIWE’s National President, Comrade Peter Iniobong, said the influx of skilled workers from China, India, Indonesia, and Turkey is displacing qualified Nigerian welders in violation of the nation’s employment quota regulations.
While stressing that the union is not against foreign professionals working in Nigeria, Iniobong noted that their presence should not come at the expense of local talent.
He said:
“We are not opposed to expatriates working in Nigeria as we see them as our global colleagues, but we need to work together in solidarity to defeat the divide and rule tactics of the capitalists who seek only profits at the expense of labour power.
"Despite our qualifications, expertise and experience, we are being denied job opportunities in Nigeria. This trend not only undermines the skills and potential of Nigerian welders but also exacerbates unemployment and economic hardship."
He urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to create an enabling environment for the welding and steel industries, promote industrialisation, and ensure fair job opportunities for Nigerians.
He also called for increased skills training, better regulatory frameworks, and measures to protect the interests of local welders.
Iniobong unveiled an eight-point agenda for NUNIWE, which includes tracking legitimate job openings, addressing cases of workplace maltreatment, and working with stakeholders to implement the Nigerian Content Development Act in the welding sector.
This development follows an earlier report by Legit.ng that Canada has introduced a fresh immigration pathway, allowing welders, drivers and electricians from various nations, including Nigeria, to apply.
Supporting NUNIWE’s concerns, Deputy General Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ismail Bello, condemned the exploitation of informal sector workers, particularly private security guards who are often paid between N20,000 and N30,000 monthly, far below the N70,000 minimum wage.
He stressed the need for unionisation across all sectors to guarantee fair treatment, pensions, and workplace safety.
In his goodwill message, President of the Precision, Electrical and Related Equipment Senior Staff Association (PERESSA), Rufus Olusesan, who was instrumental in merging eight welding factions into NUNIWE, urged members to prioritise unity and work collectively for the union’s growth and prosperity.
Source: Getty Images
Nigerian professor balances academia and welding
Meanwhile, Legit.ng earlier reported on Professor Kabir Ahmed Abu-Bilal, a lecturer in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Kaduna, who drew public interest for his work as a welder alongside his academic career.
According to him, earnings from his welding workshop in just one month are twice his university salary, underscoring the financial benefits of skilled handiwork.
Abu-Bilal described welding as both a personal passion and a means of putting his God-given talents to practical use, enabling him to remain self-reliant while contributing to society.
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Source: Legit.ng
