HUMAN TRAFFICKING: WHEN SHALL WE SEE AN END?

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I recently came across a post of a Nigerian lady being put up for "sale" on one of the social media platforms by some guy who provides homes with domestic workers in Lebanon. I find this very irritating and disturbing just like many Nigerians and Africans who did not hesitate to call out and publicly backlashed the so called individual. I am happy the fellow has been arrested by the Lebanese security agency, and hopefully he would face prosecution. Nonetheless, I still have some concerns.

My worry is simple, and at the same time, pathetic. Data from the Lebanese government show that Lebanon has 250,000 immigrant domestic workers, and most of them are from sub Saharan Africa. In my curiosity, I got to find out that one Lebanese pound is equivalent to about 26 kobo (0.26 naira). This fact left me in bewilderment, as to why Africans would migrate to countries that are less economically viable and disadvantaged; and with poor working conditions compared to what is obtainable in some African nations. The following question therefore leaves my mind boggling; Is Africa least attractive to work both in terms of the working conditions and earnings or are the opportunities in Africa limited but widely available else where?

Shockingly enough, Lebanon has what is known as the "Kafala system" which is recognised by their law; where a domestic or a construction worker is not permitted to terminate an employment contract without the employer consenting to it, even if the worker had reported instances of physical and sexual abuse from the employer. An act that amounts to what is now ubiquitously known as "modern slavery". This is completely ridiculous and unfortunate.

African governments must get its footings right, as an arbiter of public good; and provide the needed support for the people they serve and represent. As much as it is  costly to have an efficiently working social investment, African leaders must make the hard effort, and equally make the sacrifices to discourage the number of persons who migrate to countries with acidic human treatment, and unfair and unfriendly labour practices, just because they find dissatisfaction of some sort in their home country.

Whether as a collective or as individual nation, we must rise to the responsibility and ensure in possible ways to avert the disgust that many Africans in diaspora could potentially face and are already facing, particularly in countries with terribly poor legal and economic systems; should our arms be folded, doing nothing.  We must make Africa better for all, and attractive to many.

What are your thoughts? Please, leave a comment.


Author: Adams Alex Osunde 


Comments

  1. Scar...April 24, 2020 at 1:21 AM

    You have spoken well, but let me state that their are no leaders in Africa. We only have politicians who are too busy looting public funds and playing politics with governing the state.


    At $65 per barrel Nigeria records 2.2million barrel of crude oil per day (before the pandemic) and yet couldn't provide palliatives for her citizens during the lock down even after she got support from organizations and wealthy citizen.

    Her citizens are vulnerable and looking for greener pastures as its seems there is no hope for the common man in Nigeria.

    What kind of spell is Africa under?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Talking Economics and Politics April 24, 2020 at 1:40 AM

      Thank you for your comment Scar.

      It unfortunate that many of the African leaders show incapacity in delivering their assigned constitutional responsibilities.

      I agree with you that many Africans have to go through untold hardship on a daily basis, without government providing any form of social or livelihood support, hence seek greener pastures else where, even at their detriment, particularly in places that are less greener.

      We must unsilenced every ill that our societies are faced with, and hold government accountable for their failure and underperformance.

      Let's continue to push for the desired change.

      Delete

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