What happened?
Between May and August 2023, some job seekers in Southern Nigeria were lured into modern slavery in Cairo, capital of Egypt by job trafficking agents in Lagos. In our recent investigation, we narrated the horrific testimonies of these victims.
Before leaving Nigeria, the victims were faced with diverse economic hardship and they thought following the ‘japa’ trend to Egypt as domestic servants would fetch them enough money within a short time so they could return to Nigeria to start a business. Unfortunately, they were wrong as their job is not only difficult, but the stipend they get from their monthly earnings is too small to feed them, let alone send anything to Nigeria for the upkeep of their loved ones.
They soon discovered that their traffickers smuggled them into Cairo with a tourist visa which makes it difficult for them to move freely as they are now illegal migrants. As they continue to work in terrible conditions, their trafficker receives the bulk of their salary, and their passports are confiscated.
What’s new?
We obtaineda video of a Nigerian molested, stripped naked, and threatened with police arrest by her boss in Cairo. Our investigation revealed that despite the hardship they face in Cairo, they cannot complain because they have no legal rights under Egypt’s laws. On some occasions, Egyptians take advantage of these domestic servants because they know they are illegal immigrants. When the victims protest, they are wrongly accused of theft and threatened with arrest and deportation.
Why does it matter?
The challenge of these victims is not limited to exploitation, there have been mass arrests of illegal migrants in Egypt as the government orders all foreigners to pay visa overstay fees and residency permits, which cost $1,000 by March or risk being jailed. As the deadline given to them to regularise their status draws closer, Nigerians working as domestic servants in Cairo told us they are living in fear because police are already arresting some victims of job trafficking without waiting for the end of the grace period. Rather than deport them, the arrested victims are kept in prison until their relatives in Nigeria raise money for deportation and refund all the expenses incurred on them while in detention.
What can be done?
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) should liaise with Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) to address the menace of job trafficking. There should be awareness programmes informing Nigerians about the danger of migrating without proper planning.
Civil society organisations should assist in holding the government accountable to improve job opportunities and make Nigeria safe for all.
To help the victims who are currently held in Cairo, there is a need for immediate and long-term support that would facilitate their return to Nigeria safely and be offered medical and psychological support to address the trauma they must have experienced. The current economic situation gives way for traffickers to play into the desperation of people. It is important that the government takes measures to boost the economy, reduce the ongoing cost of living crisis and provide Nigerians with the stability they need.
