By Suleman Chitera

As Malawi marks World Day Against Trafficking in Persons on July 30, human rights advocates and government authorities are warning that increasing numbers of Malawians searching for employment abroad remain vulnerable to exploitation by traffickers posing as legitimate recruiters.

For many citizens struggling with unemployment and poverty, overseas employment offers hope for a better future. However, that hope has often turned into a nightmare for those who accept deceptive job offers, particularly in countries such as Oman and the United Arab Emirates.

Instead of the well-paying jobs and favourable working conditions they were promised, many migrants have reported being subjected to forced labour, unpaid wages, confiscation of passports, restricted movement and other forms of abuse.President Mutharika Urged to Revoke Nir Ges’ Diplomatic Passport Amid Outgoing MCP Scandal

Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) Executive Secretary Habiba Osman described human trafficking as one of the country’s most serious human rights challenges, saying the crime amounts to modern-day slavery.

According to Osman, the Middle East has become a major destination where Malawians have experienced exploitation after travelling for work through misleading recruitment arrangements.

Organisations assisting victims say the problem is more widespread than many people realise. Executive Director of PIDO International Pilirani Mombe Nyoni said her organisation has helped more than 400 Malawians, most of them women and girls, who became victims of exploitation after travelling to Oman.

Nyoni said many workers accepted employment believing they would receive decent salaries and safe working conditions, only to discover they were trapped in abusive environments.

She said victims have reported physical violence, emotional and psychological abuse, sexual harassment, excessive working hours, withheld salaries, confiscated travel documents and restrictions on communicating with relatives back home.

“The recruitment process often begins with false promises. Once victims arrive, they lose control over their lives and become completely dependent on their employers,” she said.Investigative Report: How Nir Ges Obtained a Diplomatic Passport in Malawi

Nyoni explained that migration for employment becomes human trafficking when deception and exploitation are involved. She stressed that employers have no legal or moral right to control workers simply because they paid recruitment costs.

The Malawi Police Service has also expressed concern over fraudulent recruitment schemes targeting vulnerable job seekers. Deputy Public Relations Officer Superintendent Alfred Chimthere said traffickers commonly use fake employment opportunities to lure victims before subjecting them to exploitation.

He noted that social media platforms, unregistered recruitment agents and informal networks have increasingly become tools used by traffickers to advertise attractive but fraudulent overseas jobs.

The Ministry of Labour, Skills and Innovation says it continues to strengthen measures aimed at promoting safe labour migration and protecting Malawians working abroad.

Ministry spokesperson Tabbu Kauye said prospective migrant workers should only use registered Private Employment Agencies because they operate under government supervision and can provide support if problems arise.

She explained that the Ministry verifies foreign employers, examines employment contracts and requires workers to obtain official clearance before departure. Migrants also undergo mandatory orientation sessions where they are informed about their rights, employment conditions and available support services.Diplomatic Passports for Sale? Malawi’s Honorary Consul Nir Gess and the Rot in the System

The Ministry further conducts inspections of licensed recruitment agencies and is working on Labour Export Regulations to strengthen existing labour migration guidelines introduced in 2016.

Kauye said government works closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malawi diplomatic missions, immigration authorities, the Malawi Police Service and international organisations including the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) to assist victims through rescue, repatriation and reintegration programmes.

Despite these efforts, she acknowledged that informal recruitment channels and social media continue to expose many job seekers to fraudulent employment offers.

She advised Malawians to verify every overseas job opportunity with the Ministry before travelling and warned against offers promising unusually high salaries for unskilled work, requests for upfront payments, free travel without proper documentation and employment without written contracts.

Nyoni believes stronger protection should continue after workers leave Malawi, calling on the country’s diplomatic missions to closely monitor the welfare of citizens employed abroad and respond quickly whenever abuse is reported.

She also urged authorities to increase surveillance of online recruitment platforms, arguing that many fake vacancies are circulated through unregulated social media channels.

Meanwhile, Osman said poverty and limited employment opportunities remain key factors driving people into the hands of traffickers.

Although Malawi enacted the Trafficking in Persons Act in 2015 to criminalise both labour and sexual exploitation, she said greater investment is needed to improve implementation, coordination and support for survivors.

Law enforcement agencies also acknowledge that investigating trafficking cases remains difficult because criminal networks frequently operate across several countries.Israel Farm Jobs Losing Appeal Among Malawian Workers Over Escape Concerns

Chimthere said the Malawi Police Service continues to cooperate with regional and international partners, including SARPCCO and INTERPOL, through intelligence sharing and joint investigations aimed at dismantling trafficking syndicates.

As the country observes World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, authorities are urging Malawians to exercise caution when seeking employment abroad, emphasising that genuine opportunities should always be verified through official channels to ensure the pursuit of a better life does not end in exploitation.