BY STAFF REPORTER
Over the past three or four decades, human trafficking remains a serious challenge for both countries of origin and destinations. The number of people crossing borders illegally has seen a steady rise.
According to the World Migration Report, every year, millions of people across the world illegally move from their homes to other countries seeking better economic opportunities. Most of them were forced to leave their homes by political turmoil, war, poverty among others and some leave their countries becoming victims of human traffickers.
Putting their lives on the verge of perils, many people, especially the young ones cross the border allured by the success stories of a few individuals.
The case is not different in Ethiopia. Many Ethiopian young people, with a larger share of females, have been putting themselves in more precarious situations misinformed by human traffickers and tempted by the pressure of their peers. As a result, several citizens were compelled to work under harsh conditions, including being overworked, abused and underpaid. Thousands of people have also lost their lives for various reasons.
Taking the seriousness of the matter into consideration, the government has been taking various measures to curtail human trafficking. Ranging from creating awareness among the community regarding the undesirable consequences of illegal migration, and the ill intention of traffickers as well as making them accountable, various actions have been taken. Not only those, but efforts have also been exerted to rehabilitate the repatriates to enable them work and prosper at home though the outcomes are not at the desired level.
Despite the efforts, even today many are migrating illegally to overseas risking their lives.
Recently, the Ministry of Women and Social Affairs joining hands with various national and international organizations organized a community mobilization forum against human trafficking in Hossana Town under the theme “Let’s prevent human trafficking with active community participation.”
Speaking on the occasion Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Demeke Mekonen said that though human trafficking is a worldwide problem, Ethiopia has been suffering more from this illegal activity. Citing the number of repatriates, Demeke said that in just one year, more than 100,000 illegal migrants were repatriated. On the other way, more than 5,000 prisoners still remain in Tanzania.
Furthermore, he stated that the forum is being held in Hosanna because, according to studies, it is one of the areas where human trafficking is high.
Mentioning that the government has created a lot of conducive environments to send its citizens abroad for jobs to reduce illegal human trafficking, Demeke said that efforts are underway to control illegal human trafficking through giving especial emphasis to the matter. However, he added, it could not achieve the required outcomes because of different hindering factors.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Demeke also urged Ethiopians to cooperate in tackling the challenges of human trafficking by addressing its root causes.
Women and Social Affairs Minister Ergoge Tesfaye (PhD) on her part said that the government has been working to tackle human trafficking through allotting huge amounts of budget and creating different legal frameworks and structures.
As to her, strengthening legal overseas facilitation for job creation is crucial to tackle this illegal act. To this effect, the country has signed Memorandum of Understanding with different countries to send professional and nonprofessional workers abroad in a legal way.
Birhanu Abera, representative of the Ministry of Labor and Skills, said that the government has been operating taking the issue of job creation as a national agenda to create ample jobs for citizens in and abroad. At this Ethiopian fiscal year, the Ministry has set a plan to create jobs for 3.7 millions of people annually.
Awareness campaigns will be further strengthened in the northeastern parts of the country, where the problem is also intensified, he added.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 27 DECEMBER 2022
