Mozambicans fall victim to illegal employment networks in the Central African Republic and Portugal

The dream of a better life abroad has turned into a nightmare for dozens of Mozambicans, who are falling victim to illegal recruitment schemes in countries such as the Central African Republic and Portugal. Faced with this growing wave of deception, the Mozambican government is reinforcing its warning and calling for institutional verification of all international job offers.

Since last year, the Executive has reiterated an urgent appeal to citizens: whenever they are promised employment opportunities abroad, they should immediately inform the local authorities. According to the spokesperson for the Council of Ministers, Inocêncio Impissa, in a press conference, this practice aims precisely to allow the Government to activate diplomatic channels and verify, with the countries involved, the legality and veracity of the proposals.

Impissa was clear in stating that "there is no problem whatsoever in seeking work abroad"; however, he stressed that the essential thing is that these opportunities are properly shared and, above all, sanctioned by the competent Mozambican authorities. In this way, the process is framed within the diplomatic framework, which makes it possible to assess whether the recruitment is legal or not, thus preventing serious cases of human trafficking and the illegal use of national labor.

In this regard, Impissa revealed that the Government is already in constant contact with the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, who is closely monitoring this situation in the Central African Republic in an attempt to locate and protect the citizens involved.

However, this is not an isolated case. The spokesperson admitted that there are other Mozambicans who signed false employment contracts destined for Portugal and who are currently "adrift" in that European country, since the Portuguese government does not recognize the validity of the documents presented.

On the same occasion, Inocêncio Impissa also addressed the situation of Mozambican expatriates in neighboring South Africa, especially in the context of outbreaks of xenophobia. For these citizens, the Mozambican government has provided reception and reintegration support. In this context, the Vocational Training Institute is certifying all returnees who possess professional qualifications acquired over years of work experience.

According to the spokesperson, this certification has international value, which will guarantee greater credibility and recognition for each worker in different professional areas, thus facilitating their reintegration into the job market, whether inside or outside the country.

The government's warning is unequivocal: opportunities abroad are legitimate and desirable, but they are only secure when they pass through the sieve of diplomatic cooperation. Meanwhile, government teams continue to work on rescuing deceived Mozambicans and empowering those who return, so that the experience lived does not translate only into loss, but also into new opportunities with legal guarantees.