Nigerian Senate Set to Restrict Expats From Getting Jobs Before Citizens
Hours ago, Femi Gbajabiamila announced that the bill which will restrict foreigners from getting employment before Nigerians has passed its second reading, and this has sparked reactions on social media.
See his tweets:
@femigbaja Proposes Law to Restrict Foreigners from Securing Employment in Fields where a Nigerian is qualified pic.twitter.com/sP2NvP5oTS
— Femi Gbajabiamila (@femigbaja) July 14, 2016
Today the amendment scaled through 2nd reading and when it becomes law a qualified Nigerian will get job consideration before a foreigner
— Femi Gbajabiamila (@femigbaja) July 14, 2016
Th debate on giving employments to foreigners where a citizen is qualified for same has always been a controversial issue all over the world. In 2012, an American woman Wendel called out President Obama over claims that her husband couldn’t get employment because high-skilled jobs were given to foreigners. The conversation revealed that there was an increase in the number of visas given to expats, the abuse of the expat quota which cuts short the opportunities for qualified Americans to gain employment. You can read all about that here.
Also, Singaporeans have complained that their young graduates find it difficult to get jobs and it is all thanks to the high number of foreigners in the country who are taking all the good opportunities away. This, reportedly, had led to a tensed relationship between the citizens and foreigners.
In a similar vein, Kenya recently enforced a law which will now make it difficult for immigrants to get jobs, plus those who are already working are at risk of losing their jobs, too.
And so, Femi Gbajabiamila pushing for a replication of same in Nigeria, has led to arguments on social media: are foreigners truly taking away high-skilled job opportunities from qualified Nigerians?
See the arguments by those against the bill:
@femigbaja Dear Sir, instead of creating laws to restrict foreigners from getting jobs, why not pass laws to encourage job creation?
— ME Manasseh (@knightofdelta) July 14, 2016
@femigbaja why not develop our education system and make it an easier environment for entrepreneurs? Why not review the tax code? 3/
— Thandi A. (@therealthandek) July 14, 2016
@femigbaja and now you want to restrict foreigners?!! Do you actually believe people are clamouring to come here because we are so great? 2/
— Thandi A. (@therealthandek) July 14, 2016
@femigbaja you guys will just make this country become a waste land. Already struggling on an economic front and in dire need of FDI 1/
— Thandi A. (@therealthandek) July 14, 2016
@femigbaja a wrong-headed and ill-advised piece of legislation. This is sooooo not in the top 100 of our problems
— The King’s Hand (@9jabadtguy3) July 14, 2016
@femigbaja oh dear me….I strongly suggest you focus your energies on improving the foundation to make Nigerians skilled i.e. Education.
— dayo b (@i_am_dayoB) July 14, 2016
And for those in support of the possible new law, here’s what they think:
@femigbaja laudable effort Sir, the problem is that some come with documents suggesting specialized skills and end up HR & Admin Managers
— QWERTY TyRantino (@Plumbtifex) July 14, 2016
@femigbaja the extant penalty for the abuse of expatriate quota is quite light, most companies just shrug & pay
— QWERTY TyRantino (@Plumbtifex) July 14, 2016
@femigbaja I want to see which Lawmaker would vote against this bill! Very innovative and poignant sir
— Bolu (@bolu_oj) July 14, 2016
@femigbaja great move. We must ensure that the rip off stops; even the EU operates this sort of restriction inspire of WTO protocols
— Bolu (@bolu_oj) July 14, 2016
@femigbaja its a major challenges in our labour market,even Indian getting more menial jobs than Nigeria bcos they consider them cheaper
— #BlackLivesMatter (@OlugbengaBlacks) July 14, 2016
While we wait for the outcome of this proposal, tell us what you think: are foreigners taking away all our jobs?
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