Govt opens labour migrant centre

Thupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
Government has opened a labour Migrant Resource Centre (MRC) in Beitbridge to offer advisory information to people intending to leave the country to seek employment in South Africa.

The $90 000-centre, located in Dulibadzimu suburb, was constructed by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and handed over to Government a fortnight ago.

The Department of Labour assumed a leading role in the management of operations with effect from Wednesday last week. Under the new order, the IOM is expected to provide technical support.

Acting permanent secretary in the Ministry of Labour, Public Service and Social Services, Mrs Grace Maramba, confirmed the development on Wednesday.

“Our staff started operating from the new Migrant Resource Centre last week following the official handover of the furniture and infrastructure by our partners, the IOM.

“The MRC focuses more on giving information to potential migrant workers on entry requirements, types of permits they can apply for and the labour market and other related issues in their intended destination,” she said.

Mrs Maramba said they would also deal with issues around labour dispute resolution, labour inspection, to check and enforce compliance with legislation and the promotion of industrial harmony.

The centre is equipped with five offices, Internet facilities and a borehole, all donated by the IOM.

It is also understood that the concept (MRC) was being piloted in Beitbridge and will soon be rolled out in other parts of the country. The IOM Chief of Mission, Mr Martin Ocaga, said the MRC would go a long way in contributing to the reduction in irregular migration by providing accurate information and services.

He said they were shifting their support to Zimbabwe from humanitarian to developmental needs in areas most affected by migration.

“We will be expanding our developmental programme to high migrant sending areas. In this regard, IOM will collaborate with the Government of Zimbabwe to address the root causes, which act as push factors and the incidence of irregular migration from high migrant-sending areas,” he said.