The government of Sierra Leone, under the auspices of the Labour Ministry, has lifted the ban on overseas employment. This ban had affected the hopes of those who believe that their survival could not be made in the country.
The overseas job seekers are mostly middle level manpower and partially skilled men and women, including some school leavers. Those who take to these jobs often engage in menial activities like housekeeping or nannies.
According to the Minister of Labour, Alpha Timbo, these desperate compatriots shall be provided with all safety and humane conditions, overseas. This will be done, according Minister Alpha Timbo, in proper collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
“Their passports shall be in the custody of government through the country’s embassies, which is one of the measures to respond to any eventualities,” says the Minister of Labour.
A collection of young men and women were spotted jam packed at the New England Offices this week waiting for what they described as opportunities that they shall never miss.
In her contribution, Madam Chelcy Hero, one of the coordinators, recalled that she was au fait with an incident where a Sierra Leonean migrant worker in Kuwait was unable to use simple household utensils and appeared unsuitable for that job. She admonished that only skilled workers should be given this opportunity.
From the look of things, it would appear that government is on top of things; it has granted them the legitimacy to embark on the search for greener pastures.
It is interesting that black Africans have not learnt the lessons of the slave trade and the history of the Abolition of the Slave Trade. To send your compatriots, to the Arab world to look out for jobs which have not been advertised, takes away their human dignity. Imagine it is in a foreign land; it is indicting.
“We have heard, seen and witnessed our African brothers and sisters drowning at sea in the Mediterranean. We have heard of their torture in Libyan jails; beaten and sexually abused. As if that is not enough, they lose their lives. We have witnessed government being put to task, criticised for delaying to heed the cry of lost souls in Lebanon, Kuwait and the Emirates, etc. Government has spent tax payers’ money just to repatriate those who left Sierra Leone on their own accord.
“Seeing all of these disadvantages could not induce anybody to let his brother man to go on those slavish jobs. This is a civilised form of human trafficking, because the condition of service is not negotiated nor subjected to any contract.
“Besides, what is government’s business in urging its compatriots to go into foreign lands in search of demeaning jobs that register the conduct of slavery?” Many have asked.