The Precision, Electrical and Related Equipment Senior Staff Association (PERESSA) has raised concerns about the growing trend of casual and contract employment in Nigeria, which is fuelling the exodus of young Nigerians seeking better opportunities abroad. According to PERESSA, this trend, coupled with low wages and weak worker protection, is leaving young workers exposed to insecurity, exploitation, and digital abuse. The union emphasised that the shortage of decent jobs is forcing many young Nigerians to consider leaving the country.
PERESSA National President, Rufus Olusesan, stated that young workers are increasingly trapped in precarious jobs with short-term contracts that are repeatedly renewed without the security and rights associated with permanent employment. He described the situation as particularly troubling, as young workers constitute the future of the labour market and should be at the centre of policies on employment, skills development, and economic growth. Olusesan emphasised that decent work must provide workers with productive employment, fair income, workplace security and safety, social protection, and the right to organise and have a voice in decisions affecting their livelihoods.
Olusesan criticised the practice of renewing short-term contracts for extended periods, citing the example of a worker on a three-month contract renewed for five years, which he described as a form of exploitation. He argued that such arrangements do not provide workers with the security and stability they need. The PERESSA boss also highlighted the challenges faced by young Nigerians in the digital economy, where they are often exploited due to the lack of decent job opportunities.
To address these challenges, PERESSA called on the Federal Government to increase investment in education and skills development, with a focus on producing employable skills rather than just certificates. The union also urged the government to pursue economic policies capable of generating stable jobs and reducing the dependence on precarious employment arrangements. Additionally, PERESSA asked employers to end the casualisation of young workers and ensure that workers who perform permanent roles are given appropriate employment status and protection.
PERESSA further called on the trade union movement to intensify its campaign against casualisation and other unfair labour practices. The union urged young workers to organise, acquire new skills, and demand greater participation in decisions affecting their future. PERESSA emphasised that the solution to youth unemployment and precarious work requires more than individual migration, stressing that Nigeria must create an economy where young people can find decent and sustainable employment at home.
The union highlighted the need for broader economic and political reforms to address structural inequalities and protect the interests of working people. PERESSA stressed that the struggle for decent work should extend beyond individual efforts, requiring a comprehensive approach to address the root causes of the problem. The union's concerns are particularly relevant, given the theme of the 2026 World Day for Decent Work: "Young Workers Organising for the Future."
Ultimately, PERESSA aims to build a labour market where young Nigerians do not have to leave Nigeria simply to find decent employment. The union's efforts focus on promoting fair labour practices, protecting workers' rights, and advocating for policies that support the growth of decent work opportunities. By addressing these challenges, PERESSA hopes to create a more sustainable and equitable labour market for young Nigerians.
Key points
- PERESSA warns that casualisation and low wages are driving young Nigerians abroad in search of decent work.
- The union calls for increased investment in education and skills development to address youth unemployment.
- PERESSA urges the government to pursue economic policies that generate stable jobs and reduce dependence on precarious employment arrangements.
