"I was a police officer for many years. However, I resigned due to discrimination. After my resignation, I couldn't find a sustainable job. I was desperate, so I decided to look for overseas employment, and it was a very challenging time for me."
Mitiku Fisha was a police officer who resigned after experiencing discrimination. For five years after his resignation, he was unable to find a stable and decent job. He was desperate to support his family, so he decided to migrate to the Middle East for employment.
"I decided to travel overseas. To facilitate my journey, I approached a private employment agency, which asked me to pay ETB 40,000. I didn't have enough money. I even asked my relatives for a loan, but I couldn't find the required money."
Mitiku, a potential migrant who benefited from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office-funded the ILO Better Regional Migration Management programme, which provides an integrated package of services for potential and returned migrants to enable them to establish a sustainable livelihood in collaboration with various implementing partners. He learned about the socioeconomic reintegration support under the BRMM programme, which sparked his curiosity and led him to sign up
"When I saw the call for training for potential and returned migrants posted on a board in my district, I immediately signed up. I had nothing to lose." Mitiku recalled how he discovered the programme
Mitiku cited some of the challenges migrant workers encounter while working abroad. He also acknowledged that working abroad helps migrant workers appreciate what is available in their countries. He is currently encouraging his friends and neighbours to work and succeed in Ethiopia. If they decide to migrate, he advises them to migrate regularly. He recalled, "Most of the youth who lost their lives in Libya were from my neighbourhood".
As a result of the training he received, Mitiku began a Home Laundry Service. The BRMM programme focuses on laying foundations for improving labour migration governance in the East and Horn of Africa by using evidence-based policies, enhancing migrant workers' qualifications and skills, and actively engaging social partners for improved development outcomes. To date, the programme has created employment opportunities (self and wage employment) for 2,076 potential and returned migrants, provided financial and non-financial services to more than 5,173 beneficiaries and established a revolving loanable matching fund in Amhara, Oromia and Addis Ababa amounting to USD 800,000, where 659 potential and returned migrants have benefitted.
