Gov’t Set To Rescue, Repatriate Distressed Liberians From Dubai, Oman
MONROVIA, Dec. 13 (LINA) -The Government of Liberia has disclosed plans to rescue and repatriate Liberians believed to be living in unfavorable situations in both Dubai and Oman after traveling to these countries in search of greener pastures.
Accordingly, to a statement from the Ministry of Labour, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been instructed by the National Anti-Human Trafficking Taskforce to issue a Note Verbal to the Government of Oman and Dubai respectively to the Liberia Mission at the United Nations expressing the concerns of the Government of Liberia for her citizens in Oman and asking them to ensure that those affected are rescued and those who inflicted injuries on them are prosecuted.
It can be recalled that the National Anti-Human Trafficking Taskforce of Liberia on December 12, 2021, held an emergency meeting on the situation of Liberia women in Dubai and Oman.
The National Anti-Human Trafficking Taskforce revealed that the primary objective of the meeting was to consolidate information and respond to what is obtained in Dubai and Oman with regard to Liberians that have been found in a difficult situation with those that transported them with the hope of getting employment and finding greener pastures.
The National Anti-Human Trafficking Taskforce confirmed that Liberian girls have been abused and ill-treated in all manners and forms, terming the situation as unfortunate.
In addition, the meeting also resolved that the movement of Liberians to Oman and Dubai will henceforth be strait lined by the LIS and LNP.
Commenting on the situation of the Liberians in both Dubai and Oman, the Chairman of the Taskforce, Cllr. Charles H. Gibson said that the Government of Liberia is embarking on a program to ensure that the women are returned to Liberia and those who were involved in their recruitment in Liberia are prosecuted.
He spoke of plans to commence efforts through the Ministry of Finance to ensure that the women are brought back to Liberia.
Speaking further, Cllr. Gibson called for collaborations among partners, especially LIS and LNP to ensure that these illegal movements of persons are curtailed.
“For us at the Ministry of Labor, Section 44.1 of the Decent Work Act states that a) “No person or association shall recruit any Liberian for employment either within or without the Republic unless such person or association be in possession of a license granted under the provisions of this part,” the MOL boss emphasized.
Minister Gibson stressed that to apply for said license, one must prove certain guarantees to the Ministry of Labor that these persons being recruited for foreign employment are done in good faith and if any incident occurs, the recruiter will be responsible to ensure that those persons are returned to Liberia and are safe and not abused.
He assured the public that the Ministry of Labor, consistent with Section 44.1 of the Labor Law of Liberia, will issue Standing Order #3 on the Recruitment of Liberians for employment in foreign countries.
For her part, the Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Madam Williamette Saydee-Tarr informed the Taskforce that during her recent visit to Dubai, in a meeting with the Liberian Community, they revealed that there are Liberians there experiencing similar situations.
She said that she was informed by those concerned that they were recruited in Liberia and transported to Dubai to work as housemaids, but they are being ill-treated, abused, underpaid and want to come back home.
Meanwhile, the Liberia National Police during the meeting spoke of a situation where two Liberian females were trafficked to the Ivory Coast, but through the help of LIS and LNP, they were rescued and returned to Liberia.
The LNP further informed the Taskforce of four females who were recently prevented by LIS officers at Roberts International Airport (RIA) admitting to traveling to Oman.
The meeting which was held at the Ministry of Labour, in Monrovia was attended by the Chairman of the Trafficking Task Force, Labor Minister, Charles H. Gibson, the Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Hon. Willamette Saydee-Tarr, the Commission General of the Liberia Immigration Service (LIS), Col. Robert W. Budy, Deputy Foreign Minister, Dewery Gray, Assistant Justice Minister, Wesseh A. Wesseh, the Commander of the Special Unit on Human Trafficking at the Liberia National Police, among others.
