Dangers of migration

The revelations by the immigration authorities that over 2,000 young women from Ghana who migrated to the Gulf States had the rude shock of their lives when they realised that the lucrative jobs promised them were non-existent in the host countries were chilling and disappointing (Daily Graphic, March 4, 2015).

They were allegedly recruited by fake recruitment agencies fronting for recruitment agencies in the Gulf States of Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Lebanon. 

The modus operandi of the local recruitment agencies was to promise the women juicy and well-paid jobs in these countries. According to the Ghana Immigration authorities, 350 women were deported and they have harrowing stories of their journeys to tell.

Travel decisions

Making a decision to leave your country for another in search of greener pastures needs a careful evaluation of oneself in terms of professional qualifications, trade, abilities, capabilities and skills which are crucial in accessing job opportunities in a foreign country. You also need to have the right travelling documents.

Migrants face a number of challenges in the host countries. On arrival, their passports are taken from them by those who recruited them. This leaves them vulnerable to whatever demands are made of  them.  Such migrants are made to work and pay for their living expenses. Since there is unemployment in those countries, those recruited are compelled to do jobs they would not accept to do back in their home countries. Those that are young and beautiful are forced into prostitution while others have to contend with doing menial jobs such as cleaning toilets and taking care of the aged and people with disabilities in those countries.

Intergration difficulties

There are a number of factors that militate against the successful integration of migrant workers in the host countries such as language barrier, lack of suitable accommodation, racism, xenophobia, religious and cultural differences and the difficulty in accessing justice in case of human rights violations.

Those who are able to gain employment and have no work permits risk being deported when arrested by law enforcement agencies in the host country. They may suffer discrimination on grounds of race; they may receive salaries lower than their counterparts hailing from those countries and with the same educational qualifications or skills. Their working rights may be violated as the law offers them no protection.

When an individual is working, he/she aspires to gain experience, grow, develop and make progress. In the case of migrant workers, it is a daunting task as the local population is given preference over them.

Human trafficking

Human trafficking is a lucrative trade for those involved in it. Some migrants, contrary to the promise of a better life abroad, find themselves in conditions of slavery with no chance of ever gaining their freedom. They may find themselves working in dehumanising and stressful conditions. In situations where there are no welfare schemes, accessing health care and other welfare packages poses a real challenge.

In view of the aforementioned challenges migrant workers face, I add my voice to and endorse the admonition by immigration officials to the youth of our country to “be wary of promises of lucrative jobs abroad.” They must know that working abroad does not necessarily guarantee a successful and fulfilling life. They can make it here in Ghana if they have a clear vision; they have the right attitudes, they are disciplined and work with zeal and determination.

The writer is the Deputy Director of Prisons/Regional Commander,

Tamale Central Prisons, N/R.