By Staff Reporter
South Africans must be extremely careful when applying for unverified job opportunities overseas, according to Justice and Constitutional Development Deputy Minister Andries Nel.
His concerns follow recent reports of job offers and opportunities circulating on social media targeting young South African women with promises of lucrative employment in Russia.
These offers, which are often promoted through informal online channels and social media, have been linked to serious risks of labour exploitation and human trafficking.
Many traffickers lured their victims by way of false advertisements for jobs or by creating the impression that they were legitimately recruiting staff, the department said in a statement on Wednesday.
An example was the case of 23 South Africans who were rescued and repatriated from Myanmar in March this year. Before leaving South Africa last year, they were lured to Thailand under false pretences by an employment agency that promised them lucrative jobs that were advertised on various social media platforms.
They were promised decent salaries, free accommodation, comprehensive travel expenses and other lucrative benefits.
Once in Thailand, they were transported to Myanmar against their will. The victims were held captive for more than four months in a cybercrime compound in Myanmar.
The South African government has condemned these practices and reaffirmed its determination to protect citizens, especially women and young people, from exploitation, both at home and abroad.
“Let me be clear: these offers are not endorsed by the government of South Africa. Never rely solely on social media promotions or unsolicited social media advertisements, always cross-check and verify job opportunities through official channels,” Nel said.
If an opportunity appeared too good to be true, it probably was.
Job seekers have been advised that before accepting any international offer, it must be verified through the departments International Relations and Cooperation, Employment and Labour and Home Affairs. The police could also help.
It was important that any person taking up a job offer or opportunity overseas must first enquire from that country what the legal travel and legal working requirements were, the department said.
Suspicious activity should be reported through official channels, including the SAPS Crime Stop hotline 08000-10111 and the National Human Trafficking Hotline 0800-222-777.
Recent data from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has documented a 25% global increase in detected trafficking victims, with children accounting for 38%.
“We are also mindful of the desperation created by high levels of youth unemployment, particularly among young women. These vulnerabilities must not be exploited.
“Government remains committed to creating safe and sustainable employment pathways through initiatives such as the Presidential Employment Stimulus, the National Youth Service and skills development programmes,” Nel said.
He called on all sectors of society to work together to protect the youth from predators who sought to profit from their hopes and dreams.
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