Human Trafficking In South Africa (Part two)

Human Trafficking Prevention

No matter who offers you a job, whether a friend, family member, or employment agency, make sure the offer is real.

Check that the employer is a registered company with a physical address and a landline.

Try to contact them before accepting the offer.

If you have relatives or friends in the area of the job, give them the physical address and ask them to check it out for you.

Make sure that you sign a legal contract with terms that you have agreed to, such as hours or work, wages to be paid, working conditions etc.

If possible seek legal advice regarding the contract or ask someone you know with understanding of contracts to look over the contract with you.

Make sure you have a valid passport and a work permit for the country you will be travelling to.

It is illegal for an employer or any person to keep your passport.

Familiarise yourself with the Basic Conditions of Employment Act and the rights of a worker in a foreign country, before you go.

If your future employer offers to pay for your travel your contract should state the amount you will owe and how long it will take you to repay and what happens if you fail to pay.

Call a friend or family member regularly, once you arrive at your destination, call them with your exact location, they will know something is wrong if you don’t get in touch with them.

If the job is situated overseas, speak to the embassy of the country you are going to.

This is a list of organisations/entities that can provide assistance:

Childline/Lifeline – 08000 55555

Safe-line – 08000 35553

The Salvation Army – 021 761 8530/1/2/3/4/5

www.s-cape-home.org

The South African Police – 10111

The Department of Community Safety and Liaison through its Victim Empowerment Programmes incorporate Human Trafficking education and awareness.

An embassy can:

Provide you with emergency contact numbers for their country.

Help you obtain the correct documents to work legally in their country.

Give you information regarding their laws on immigrant workers.

Help minimize Human Trafficking....




Written by: Zibusiso Nzimande
TBT (Thoughts Become Things) Creative Agency
Director