Job openings necessary to counter undocumented migration, Egyptian official says

Cairo - Chairperson of Egypt’s National Coordinating Committee on Preventing and Combating Illegal Migration (NCCPIM), said that job opportunities with decent pay should be provided in order to face the crisis of undocumented migration.

Ambassador Naela Gabr made her statements when she was a guest on the “Al An (Now)” program at Extra News TV channel on Wednesday. She pointed out that NCCPIM is working in accordance with a national strategy based on enforcing law and raising awareness about the negative impact of undocumented migration.

A map has been shaped to highlight the most important governorates and villages with the highest numbers of undocumented migrants in order to develop further awareness mechanisms there. There should be alternative solutions and job opportunities to combat and prevent undocumented migration, Gabr reiterated. 

People can recognize the dangers of undocumented migration, but they are not aware about the available alternatives to find jobs and live a decent life. All government bodies and entities concerned with undocumented migration should announce any job vacancies available for youth, according to the ambassador.

She noted that NCCPIM produced a radio series titled, “Riah Ala Fein Ya Salama" (To where are you going to migrate?)” aired on Radio Masr station during the holy fasting month of Ramadan. Gabr added that the series aims to raise awareness about the dangers of undocumented migration in villages and hamlets.

According to studies conducted by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), migration is a serious phenomenon needing to be dealt with for the development of Egypt. 

Lately, Egypt has become a more common launching point for undocumented migration through its Mediterranean Sea shores to Europe 

An estimated 4.7 million Egyptians abroad contributed actively to the development of their country in 2010 through remittances of (US$7.8 million in 2009), circulation of human and social capital, as well as investment.