dyton mupawaenda
Trust Freddy-Herald Correspondent
LOCAL anti-human trafficking experts have issued a warning against offers of jobs abroad that seem too good to be true , following the recent Sierra Leone trafficking scandal that saw several Zimbabweans exploited and trapped in slave-like conditions.
This warning comes after Government on Wednesday placed into protective custody two alleged victims of a human trafficking syndicate who were lured to Sierra Leone with false promises of lucrative jobs, only to be exploited and forced to work for nearly five months without pay.
The victims are currently assisting authorities with information which may help facilitate the return of over 20 Zimbabweans who remain holed up in the West African country.
In an interview with The Herald, Mr Gerald Shirichena, executive director of Vukarhani Trust, a local anti-trafficking organisation, said job seekers should look out for unrealistic promises that come with the fliers, as well as little clues.
“If you receive a flyer or any information, first, look at the facts. If the facts seem too good to be true, they definitely are not true. Why? If the salary promised seems too high, compare it with the average salary for that job in the country you are considering moving to.
“Ask yourself, ‘Do people in that job typically earn that salary?’ Normally, expatriates earn 14 to 20 percent more than local people doing the same job. So, if the salary seems excessively high, something is likely wrong”, Mr Shirichena said.
He also cautioned the public against taking everything that they see on social media seriously.
“So basically what you need to understand is every information that is given on social media, it is being propagated by people that are greedy, that want to take advantage of your vulnerability.
“So don’t look at your vulnerability and don’t look too much into your future that you are going to make it rich”.
Another anti-trafficking and legal expert, Mrs Shamiso Masokovere-Magoko, said people must be wary of job offers that require upfront payment or those that promise unusually high salaries for minimal work.
“Consult with trusted sources or employment agencies to confirm the legitimacy of the job offer and the employer”, she said.
“If something feels off about the job offer or the communication with the employer, it’s essential to proceed with caution and consider the possibility of a scam.
“Educate yourself about common tactics used by traffickers, such as pressure tactics or vague job descriptions, to better recognise potential threats”.
Mrs Masokovere-Magoko also said that there was a need to implement mass national awareness campaigns to educate citizens about the tactics used by traffickers, including the misuse of social media.
She also emphasised the need for a robust legal framework, including amending the Trafficking in Persons Act to combat human trafficking effectively.
“Zimbabwe is a source, transit and destination of human trafficking, so it means that we need to have a robust legal policy framework if we are going to curb this vice.
“In line with vision 2030, in order to enhance social protection, we need to re-look our 2014 Trafficking in Persons Act which has a lot of gaps. It requires amendment into the definition itself and provisions that do not align with international standards”.
As human trafficking is fast evolving, Mrs Masokovere-Magoko said Government needs to consider funding anti-trafficking campaigns.
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