ZIMBABWE’S first ever Migrant Resource Centre (MRC) for prospective migrants is set to be launched within the second quarter of 2022, HealthTimes has learnt.
By Kudakwashe Pembere
The MRC ensures potential migrants’ access to accurate sources of information and reliable service providers and it comes in the midst of reports of Zimbabwean women being treated as sex slaves in Arab countries such as Omar and Kuwait.
International Organisation for Migration (IOM) Zimbabwe Communications Specialist Mrs Fadzai Nyamande-Pangeti told this publication in an emailed response that the Zimbabwean Government is at the moment implementing a project on Labour Mobility Governance in Zimbabwe.
The Government of Zimbabwe in collaboration with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) with funding from the IOM Development Fund (IDF) is currently implementing the project: “Strengthening Capacities for Labour Mobility Governance in Zimbabwe.”
“This project contributes to strengthened labour mobility governance by the Government of Zimbabwe through supporting the implementation of prioritized actions defined in the National Labour Migration Policy (NLMP) that was launched 2021,” she said.
She also said having this Resource Centre for to-be emigrants was critical for Zimbabwe to realise the prioritised actions outlined in the NLMP.
“As part of this policy’s implementation plan, the establishment of MRCs is a critical tool in achieving the aims of the project. In the first phase, the centres will be established in Harare and Bulawayo followed by assessments to determine the feasibility of establishing such centres in Beitbridge and Plumtree,” Mrs Nyamande-Pangeti said. “The Government of Zimbabwe in coordination with IOM is setting up Migrant Resource Centers (MRCs) to ensure that potential migrants have access to accurate sources of information and reliable service providers.”
The MRC main activities include:
– providing counseling.
– Provide independent accurate and up to date information services and advice to potential migrants to empower them to make informed choices to participate in a safe, planned, and legal forms of migration and enable them to make informed decisions that affect their mobility, integration, and economic and social advancement.
– Returning migrant workers can receive information, and reintegration support
– Build capacity and provide information to returning migrants to contribute to the development of the country. Also ensure that migrants keep links with their areas of origin.
– Will be a platform to raise awareness on Human trafficking to potential7 migrants by detailing pointers of human trafficking that they must be aware before migrating.,” she said.
The IOM Zimbabwe communication specialist also said running the MRC will be manned by a qualified counsellor and coordinator.
“The MRCs, will be run by the Employment Service centre in the Ministry of Public Service Labour and Social Welfare and it will be manned by qualified counsellor and coordinator.
Services provided in the MRCs are free of charge,” Mrs Nyamande-Pangeti said.
Meanwhile, IOM Zimbabwe encourages Zimbabweans to utilise various channels through the Government, embassies and consulates as well as IOM to verify and seek guidance before accepting job offers abroad.
“Regarding advice to migrants regarding the dangers of human trafficking, we realise that we cannot stop migration as it has become part of contemporary living in an increasing globalised world. We acknowledge migration as part of everyday life. However, our mandate as IOM is to promote safe, orderly, and regular migration. We recognise migration as a developmental tool if it is well managed and regulated. As such, we have always endeavoured to protect all migrants, regardless of their legal status. In pursuit of livelihoods, many migrants fall victim to sec trafficking and forced labour under the guise of unscrupulous traffickers masquerading as job recruiters. Therefore, our warning to job seekers is guided by the principle of promoting safe, orderly, and regular migration. In essence, to break it down further implies the following:
-Potential migrants must always ensure that they obtain the necessary travel documents and most importantly, that they aways have control of their passports or other identity documents
-Potential migrants must seek jobs through verified and registered recruitment agencies
-Potential migrants/ job seekers must always ensure they receive a signed contract in a language they understand before accepting a job offer or migrating.
-Another potential red flag we often warn migrants is to desist from taking up job offers that are accompanied by monetary gifts or otherwise as these are meant to lure unsuspecting job seekers. Additionally, when there is too much pressure from the ‘recruiter’ to accept the offer is also another red flag.
-Potential migrants must verify the job offers they get through embassies, government ministries, specifically in Zimbabwe, the Ministry of Public Service, Labour, and Social Welfare (MoPSLSW). IOM can also assist with verification services through our missions in other countries. Going forward, the Migrant Reception Centre will now complement this service soon to be launched in Zimbabwe under the MoPSLSW. The MRC will be a key information centre for migrants to and from Zimbabwe where they will have their inquiries and needs addressed, where they will seek migration advice guidance and counselling.
