KEY POINTS
- Zimbabwe lost over 20 social workers to the UK in recent months.
- The government is working on agreements to protect migrant workers abroad.
- Zimbabwe is addressing the brain drain and collaborating with regional partners to manage migration.
Zimbabwe has lost more than 20 social workers to the United Kingdom. The government is working on interventions to protect migrant workers from harsh conditions abroad, Public Service, Labour, and Social Welfare Minister July Moyo said.
During a meeting with Katharina Stasch, chief of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) council, he said the government is creating beneficial arrangements for migrant workers and has signed several memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with the IOM.
“These MoUs are a very important tool, and I congratulate Zimbabwe for these agreements, with more on the way,” Moyo said, acknowledging the need for international cooperation to promote safe migration.
He also admitted that Zimbabwe is facing a significant brain drain.
Government seeks to protect migrant workers and their pensions
“As a ministry, we lose a lot of social workers. For example, in the last three to four months, we lost 20 social workers to the UK,” Moyo said.
“We are working on agreements to protect our people while they are abroad and when they return.”
As reported by Newsday, Moyo highlighted the need to address the portability of pensions for Zimbabwean workers abroad, adding that many migrant workers have done well upon returning home.
He also emphasized Zimbabwe’s collaboration with regional partners to ensure smooth migration flows and protect workers.
IOM data for July showed 35,187 movements were recorded at Zimbabwe’s flow-monitoring points, with the South Africa-Zimbabwe corridor seeing the highest traffic.
Moyo highlighted that Zimbabwe’s skilled workforce remains in high demand, and the government is exploring ways to support workers both abroad and upon their return.
In August, the government launched a joint venture aimed at addressing migration challenges in southern Africa.
