The Human Capital Providers Association Of Nigeria (HuCaPAN) has again urged the Ministry of Labour and Employment to reinstate the joint monitoring exercise to ensure that the environment is better regulated and make quackery in the industry unattractive for unlicensed operators.

President of HuCaPAN, Olufemi Ogunlowo, stated this at the ninth yearly national workshop for Private Employment Agencies (PEAs) in Lagos.

He said this was paramount, given the complexity of the industry and the rate at which unlicensed companies are operating.

Speaking on the theme ‘Harnessing the Benefits of Outsourcing Through Compliance with Labour Administration Laws’, Ogunlowo said the workshop aligned with the association’s commitment to ensuring that every licensed PEA has access to capacity building and knowledge sharing.

He recalled how the previous year presented numerous challenges for the business community, which he alleged was primarily due to government policies.

He said the fluctuation of the Naira and the removal of fuel subsidy have had significant repercussions on the industry.

According to him, the rising operational costs, diminished confidence among foreign investors, job losses and declining market share have all contributed to the difficulties faced by PEAs in the country.

Looking ahead, he said policymakers and industry stakeholders needed to address the issues and implement measures that would support the growth and sustainability of the sector in Nigeria.

He revealed plans on how the association would strengthen collaboration with the Ministry of Labour to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of service delivery by PEAs in the country.

According to him, PEAs, through HuCaPAN, will continue to contribute to the development of the country by providing decent jobs for workers, ensuring compliance with labour laws and practising industrial relations, among other initiatives.

For improved capacity building, he said HuCaPAN has identified gaps in the industry with a reason to focus on training for efficiency, effectiveness, and productivity.

The workshop also focused on the advantages of compliance with the Pensions Reform Act, the application of the NSITF Act to personnel outsourcing contracts, the concept of integrated payroll management and industrial relations in outsourcing, among others.