Striving against the clock to receive, stabilize expats

FekaduWubete

Every one is expected to say enough is enough with illegal migration and deplorable life in Arab countries. Let alone statements and ultimatums to leave Saudi Arabia, Ethiopians have to wholeheartedly turn their face to their own country and strive in unison for its development. Indeed, decent morsel at home is better  than lavishing extravaganza in Arab countries, which is soured with abuse,fatigue, derogation and misery.

Currently, Ethiopia is disseminating an all out message to everyone across the globe and is communicating the message to friends, parents and contacts living in Saudi Arabia to return home. The message has particularly targeted to call back individuals living in and working in Saudi Arabia, without any legal document; sons and daughters please come home.We are desperately in need of you.

Let’s work at home and prosper together. A Problem shared is problem alleviated. Moreover, presently, Ethiopia is in a better position than it was yesterday. Even if it does not satisfy all of its citizens, the nation has many job opportunities at home to engage expats and safeguard them from embarrassment being unleashed on them in the Arab countries.

Secret in public, domestic services engage millions of domestic workers throughout the world, the majority of whom are women and girls. Regardless of their number, these groups of workers are usually invisible; hidden behind the doors at the home of their employers. In this regard, the conditions of work for domestic workers have been an issue of concern as early as 1948 with the adoption of a resolution by the International Labour Organisation (ILO). It was followed by the adoption of another resolution in 1965 that urged member states to set minimum living standards and develop regulations in order to protect the rights of workers engaged in personal services.

Domestic workers, who work in the home of their private employers in Arab countries, are among the predominanat groups whose right is not secured. They have no bargaining power and are prone to the victimization of their heartless employers in Aarab countries. Hence; they generally have to put up with verbal and physical abuse in the workplace, either industrial or domestic.

Taking in to account the importance of alleviating problems to citizens working in Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia’s Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Abdulfatah Abdullahihad signed a bilateral agreement with Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Labor and Social Development (MLSD) Ali Al-hafison May 28, 2017. The agreement had aimed at recruiting skilled  Ethiopian domestic workers. The MLSD said the signing of agreement would offer legal framework to enhance cooperation and protect the rights of domestic workers and govern the contractual relationships between employees and employers.

According to the agreement, Ethiopia will commence sending qualified domestic workers who are medically fit to carry out their specific tasks as per Saudi regulations. Enhanced efforts will also be exerted to ensure that, domestic house helpers are equipped with the desired skill and educational qualification; to offer training at specialized household institutes in Ethiopia and enable them to be aware of Saudi regulations, traditions and the nature of work, among others.

Nevertheless, the Saudi government has proclaimed undocumented workers should leave the country through the amnesty period of three months. Otherwise, those who violated labour and immigration laws of the country will be forcefully expelled and imprisoned. Hence, Ethiopia has so far repatriated more than 75,000 citizens from Saudi Arabia. However, this number is the tip of the iceberg, compared to nearly half million citizens assumed to live and work in Saudi Arabia.  

Saudi Arabia says, its move against migrants is meant to curb the number of undocumented foreign workers in the country; workers alleged to consume job opportunities that would otherwise be taken by Saudi Arabians, may be due to scarcity of resources, due to plummeting prices of oil in the world market.

In this regard, Ethiopia is striving to repatriate as many citizens as possible before the amnesty period expired. And, the Ethiopian Embassy in Saudi Arabia is granting temporary ID cards and documents. These documents are used to recognize Ethiopian nationals and facilitate their easy travel to their own country, before the expiration of amnesty period and possible exposure to maltreatment and human rights violation.

Currently, in view of their unfathomable problem, the government has attached prime significance to welcome Ethiopian citizens coming from Saudi Arabia. The government is also working hard to reduce the pain and maltreatment of citizens in Saudi Arabia and stabilize them at home; help them participate in job opportunities at home. Similarly, regional governments are striving to receive expats and help them participate in available job opportunities.

Citizens had been exposed unspeakable misery in 2013, due to their forceful expulsion by the Saudi Arabian government. This blunder should not be repeated. Any possible misery of Ethiopians that happen on them due to passing of amnesty period should be curbed ahead of time. Most importantly, stakeholders striving to return expats have to work round the clock and against the clock, as expiry of amnesty period is drawing near may be a few days away.

Ethiopia is interested to ensure the safety of its citizens at home and abroad. Most importantly, it is striving to create a livable environment here at home through development to enable all citizens to work hard and live in. It is also adamant on the implementation of legal migration process through legal and responsible agents that provide sufficient life, travel and property insurance.