Mozambique repatriates workers with Portugal, UAE jobs | Africa | NOW in SA
Mozambique has unveiled plans to help repatriated Mozambican workers secure jobs in Portugal and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) afterSouth Africa’s illegal immigration protestsforced hundreds to return. . .
Mozambique has unveiled plans to help repatriated Mozambican workers secure jobs in Portugal and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) afterSouth Africa’s illegal immigration protestsforced hundreds to return home. The initiative forms part of the Mozambique government’sprofessional reintegrationstrategy for citizens who lost their livelihoods during the unrest. Officials are working with theInstitute for Vocational Training and Labour Studies (IFPELAC)to certify the skills of1,363 repatriated Mozambican citizens, allowing eligible workers to access employment opportunities in Portugal and the UAE under existing labour agreements. The announcement also comes as South Africa continues processing undocumented migrants through temporary repatriation centres after introducing new immigration reforms and a national migration plan. It follows NOWinSA’s coverage of regionalrepatriation programmes, beginning with Ghanaand later Nigeria. Speaking after Tuesday’s Council of Ministers meeting in Maputo, Mozambique government spokespersonInocêncio Impissasaid more than 800 returnees have already declared recognised trades, with officials now focusing on skills certification and overseas job placements. Portugal and UAE jobs for repatriated MozambicansImpissa said the government has already mapped the professional backgrounds of most returnees. Of the1,363 repatriated Mozambicans,809 reported having recognised trades. The largest groups include:363 bricklayers102 artisans77 domestic workersPaintersElectriciansCarpentersPlumbersRather than relying solely on Mozambique’s domestic labour market, the government plans to use bilaterallabour agreementsto place qualified workers in Portugal and the UAE. PresidentDaniel Chapopreviously said his administration is also exploring opportunities to absorb repatriated Mozambicans into national megaprojects while expanding overseas employment partnerships to ease pressure on the local job market. South Africa repatriation efforts continueThe announcement follows weeks of illegal immigration protests inGauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and North West, where foreign nationals have reported intimidation, looting and forced displacement. Mozambique says at least283 of its citizenswere affected during the unrest, while seven Mozambicans who died during the violence have since been repatriated for burial. South Africa has also intensified the processing of undocumented migrants through temporary repatriation facilities. DuringParliament’s immigration oversightvisitto Musina and theBeitbridge Port of Entryon Tuesday, Home Affairs Acting Chief DirectorAlbert Matsaungsaid officials had helped20,803 undocumented migrantsreturn to their countries of origin. According to Matsaung, the group included:17,370 Malawians3,324 Zimbabweans109 MozambicansMost departed through the temporary repatriation centre in Musina, Limpopo, before returning home. ALSO READ:Malawi’s repatriation programmeas stranded Malawians gather outside their Sandton consulateMalawi repatriation transit through Mozambique growsMozambique is also managing a steady flow of Malawian nationals travelling through the country after leaving South Africa. Impissa said around6,156 Malawian citizenshave passed through Mozambique since June. They entered through theRessano GarciaandPonta do Ouroborder posts before travelling to theZóbwè borderin Tete Province. Mozambican authorities have provided transport and basic humanitarian assistance while coordinating onward travel with the Malawian government. The developments highlight the wider regional impact ofSouth Africa’s protests against illegal migration. RELATED| See how iIllegal immigration protests may affectJuly SASSA grant paymentsand readPresident Cyril Ramaphosa’s response to illegal immigrationwhile urging against xenophobia and vigilantism. Mozambique says its immediate priority is helping repatriated citizens return to work instead of facing prolonged unemployment. Labour certification and overseas recruitment now sit at the centre of Mozambique’s reintegration strategy as officials continue monitoring developments in South Africa and cordinating support for returning citizens. Tankiso KomaneA Tshwane University of Technology journalism graduate, Tankiso Komane has a vast experience in print & broadcast media business and has worked for some of the country’s biggest daily newspapers, including The Sowetan, The Citizen, The Times, and The New Age. Through her varied work as a journalist, notably as a copywriter for SABC1 (On-Air promotions) and as a publicist for Onyx Communications, she has developed an in-depth understanding of the nature of the media business and how to use it for the purpose of exposure. Her expertise in journalism across various disciplines, coupled with a good reputation, has laid the foundation of a new kind "trust in Journalism" as the media ecosystem continues to digitally evolve.