Africa-Press – Liberia. President George M. Weah and his Cabinet has agreed to explore further and urgent diplomatic channels to expedite the return of some Liberian girls who are said to be living under unfavorable conditions in the Gulf State of Oman.
Regarding the situation, the Weah-led Cabinet called for continued engagements with the Oman Government and relevant International Actors for the expeditious return of the girls.
The decision by the Liberian Government was reached on Wednesday at the first major Cabinet Meeting for the new calendar year.
The Liberian Leader, according to a government release, said the meeting was necessary to take stock of the performance of his officials in the preceding year, while planning for the year ahead, acknowledging, however, that while considerable progress has been made there are “areas of concern” that need to be tackled.
Several Liberian girls, it can be recalled, were discovered living under excruciating circumstances in Dubai and Oman after they traveled to these countries in search of greener pastures – a news which was confirmed by some officials of the Government who attended the Dubai Expo 2020 last November.
On the margin of the Dubai Expo 2020, several Liberians (mainly girls), confirmed to officials of the Liberian Government that they are being compelled to live under inimical circumstances, do unfavorable jobs and house chores by individuals who they said confiscated their passports and other travelling documents.
In December 2021, the Government of Liberia initiated a process to ensure that the distressed Liberians are brought home with the Ministries of Labor and Foreign Affairs being instructed to lead the process.
The National Anti-Human Trafficking Taskforce confirmed that Liberian girls have been abused and ill-treated in all manner and forms, terming the situation as unfortunate.
Following a meeting by stakeholders, the two ministries were mandated by the National Anti-Human Trafficking Taskforce to issue a Note Verbal to the Government of Oman and Dubai respectively to the Liberia Mission at the United Nations expressing the concerns of the Government of Liberia for her citizens in Oman and asking them to ensure that those affected are rescued and those who inflicted injuries on them are prosecuted.
The Taskforce additionally resolved to scrutinize the movement of Liberians to Oman and Dubai insisting that henceforth, it will be channelled through the Liberia Immigration Service and Liberia National Police.
Among other things, Cllr. Charles H. Gibson, Chairman of the Taskforce assured that in addition to returning the girls to Liberia, the Government of Liberia will ensure that those who were involved in their recruitment in Liberia are prosecuted.
Section 44.1 of Liberia’s Decent Work Act prohibits the recruitment of any Liberian for employment either within or out of the country by individuals, organizations or association unless such person or association and others, be in possession of a license granted in line with said provision of the Act.
Subsequent procedures as per the Act, obligate applicants for said license to prove certain guarantees to the Ministry of Labor that recruitments for foreign employment are done in good faith and if any incident occurs, the recruiter will be responsible to ensure that those persons are returned to Liberia and are safe and not abused.
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