The long-term success of rehabilitating returnees highly hinges on their ability to reintegrate into the economy, have meaningful employment opportunities, and become self-sufficient economically. At the same time, it requires a strategic approach that addresses the skills gap by crafting jobs tailored to their needs.
In this regard, the Ministry of Labor and Skills joining hands with stakeholders and partners has been working to address and resolve the complex challenges in an organized fashion. In turn, in the concluded Ethiopian budget year, it was possible to create employment opportunities for over twenty-eight thousand citizens repatriated from overseas.
Labor and Skills State Minister Solomon Soka told ENA that, in the concluded Ethiopian budget year, encouraging activities were carried out to create job opportunities for returnees at home. More than 28,000 returnees have benefitted from the jobs created locally.
According to him, the achievements were possible following the provision of training and skills development programs being tailored based on demand and designed to fill the gap in skill of the returnees, and linking the job opportunities with small and medium enterprises and industries as well as facilitating opportunities to work in their profession.
In addition, he further noted that 345 thousand citizens were deployed legally overseas at the ended budget year after receiving the needed occupational and skills development training.
He also stated a plan to deploy 700 thousand citizens for foreign countries› employment opportunities in the current Ethiopian budget year, and various activities are ongoing in coordination with regional states and stakeholders.
Job Opportunity Creation and Vocational Bureau Deputy Head at Oromia State; Wasihun Golga on his part announced that, the State has created job opportunities for 11,328 returnees. 312 million birr loan has also been given to returnees as seed capital to rehabilitate and commence their own business. What is more, efforts are applied to make them operational by providing them with counseling services and short-term business training on how to manage the business and engage in productive activities. Furthermore, 243 working and selling market places were given to ease the challenges raised in this regard, he added.
In addition to this, joining hands with non-governmental organizations and institutions, and building production and selling sites in Jimma, Bale Robe, and Nekemte towns, the Bureau delivered to returnees.
In addition, the same efforts are being made to engage returnees in the “Ye-Lemat Tirufat” program, especially in poultry, and dairy farming for the production of milk and in urban agriculture, he added.
In an exclusive interview with Mulatu Gebremariam, a Sociologist who has been working on a joint project carried out by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) on reintegration for about five years, said that repatriates often face with challenges of being accepted by their respective communities. To address the social and psychological challenges faced by returnees, consorted efforts should be exerted in terms of counseling, support groups, and community outreach programs.
“Through providing training and consultative services, and undertaking effective reintegration program, we can heal the trauma; support them to understand the psychological makeup of the wider community and to deal with life effectively.”
According to him, creating job opportunities demands huge capital, resources, and expertise as well as the active involvement of development partners and community leaders. Applying effective social reintegration schemes and putting the needs and interests of the returnees at the forefront is a crucial step toward building a more inclusive and productive society. Thus, stakeholders should organize community engagement involving local communities in the reintegration process like fostering a welcoming environment and reducing social stigma.
Efforts should be put in place to review and revise labor laws and regulations to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for returning migrants, he recommended.
According to him, it is important to conduct thorough assessments to identify the specific skills gaps and the needs. Through this approach, it is possible to make returnees productive and improve the lives of their own and their respective family.
Investing in training and job creation for returnees is not just about providing temporary relief; it should be considered as the most significant task to create a more resilient community and ensure an inclusive economy. The stakeholders should keep on adhering to bridging the skills gap and creating opportunities for these segments of society.
In a related development, the Ministry of Labor and Skills (MoLS) announced that, it has been working to create 4.9 million jobs both domestically and abroad, in this Ethiopian budget year.
At a half-day forum organized by the Ministry, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the Ethiopian Outsourcing Association (EOA), under the theme “Creating Jobs for the Future: Uncovering the Key Drivers for the Growth of Ethiopia’s Outsourcing Industry,” works are ongoing to tackling unemployment, which remains a significant challenge in the country.
MoLS State Minister Solomon Soka emphasized that the government is taking proactive measures to ensure millions of Ethiopian citizens secure employment opportunities both locally and overseas. In the previous fiscal year, MoLS facilitated job placements for 3.7 million people, including 345,000 workers who found employment abroad.
However, the State Minister acknowledged that the unemployment rate remains alarmingly high, highlighting the critical role that the outsourcing industry could play in addressing this issue. Solomon cited the example of the United States, which generated over 500 million USD in revenue from the 14.3 million jobs created through outsourcing in 2021. This, he argued, demonstrates the potential for Ethiopia to leverage outsourcing as a key driver for job creation and foreign currency inflows.
Highlighting the high priority digital economy is receiving globally; he said that digital technologies are instrumental in accelerating economic growth by connecting people, governments, and businesses.
The digital sector has not only created opportunities for citizens to get services easily but also enables them to get jobs through outsourcing, the State Minister noted.
For developing countries like Ethiopia, the outsourcing industry will create huge opportunities as more than 2 million new job seekers enter the market each year.
The outsourcing industry has huge job opportunities, Solomon stated, adding that producing trained and qualified human resources is instrumental to properly exploiting the market.
The collaboration of all stakeholders, including the government, the private sector, and partners, is crucial to make Ethiopia the center of the outsourcing industry, the state minister emphasized.
Recalling improvements in infrastructure, internet connectivity, and the priority given by the government, he pointed out that a joint effort of all stakeholders is needed to make Ethiopia the center of outsourcing.
Ethiopian Outsourcing Association President, Wondwesen Zewde said the attention given to digital economic development and technology transformation is commendable
He stressed the need for collaboration of the government, the private sector, and development partners to properly exploit the outsourcing market.
BY MENGISTEAB TESHOME
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 27 AUGUST 2024
