CHASING DREAMS HARVESTING DESPAIR

Jul 29 , 2023. By MUNIR SHEMSU ( FORTUNE STAFF WRITER )

The quest for better livelihoods has driven hundreds of thousands of Ethiopians to venture to the Middle East in hopes of better jobs. However, their journeys are often marred with abuse, maltreatment, and exploitation. Despite the hardships faced by Ethiopians abroad, the drive to migrate persists, fuelled by economic hardship and hope for a better life. While measures are being taken to regulate and improve conditions, undocumented migration remains pervasive. Reports suggest that only 40pc of Ethiopian migrants possess legal documents.

A returnee, Sara Markos now works at “Egna-Legna”, a non-profit offering skills training for returning women like her. A reflection of many such stories, Sara’s tells the plight of the 132,000 immigrants that have made the reverse journey in the past two years. A 2017 study by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) highlighted the pernicious conditions most Ethiopian migrant workers endure, particularly those ensnared by the “Kafala” sponsorship system—a framework used in Gulf countries to manage migrant workers. The system amplifies their vulnerability, leading to forced labour, withheld salaries, passport confiscations, and restricted rights to negotiate wages or switch employers. Migrant workers suffer from health problems, exacerbated by their limited access to medical care.

Federal authorities claim to have been trying to aid stranded migrants, with programmes to ensure the migrants' reintegration into society. They speak of plans to extend support to repatriating migrants to other African countries. Yet, the drive for foreign earnings continues, with an agreement between Ethiopia and Saudi Arabia set to send a fresh wave of "trained workers" to the Middle East. The focus has been on equipping women, the primary demographic seeking employment as housemaids, with basic skills and certifications. However, this has not been devoid of criticism. While it provides a respite for the foreign exchange-strapped Ethiopia, remittance income, experts argue, is a short-term solution often used for consumption rather than investment. As Tadele Ferede, former president of the Ethiopian Economics Association, put it, remittance is a "pain killer, not a cure". Experts argue the focus should shift to boosting agriculture, manufacturing, and domestic investments.

PUBLISHED ON Jul 29,2023 [ VOL 24 , NO 1213]