Author: RACHAEL ADEEGBE

Nigeria’s Budget Minister, Abubakar Bagudu, believes that President Bola Tinubu’s plan to grow the country’s economy to $2 trillion will help address the issue of irregular migration, often referred to as the “Japa syndrome.” This term describes the trend of many Nigerians leaving the country in search of better opportunities. At a recent summit held in Abuja, organized by the Blacks Ancestral Native Communities (BANC), Bagudu emphasized that achieving this economic goal would reduce the pressure on Nigerians to migrate irregularly. The minister pointed out that the government is working on several policies aimed at boosting the economy and creating…

Marie, a 22-year-old Ivorian migrant, faced a horrifying encounter on the outskirts of Sfax, Tunisia. After traveling over 3,000 miles from her home, she was stopped by four Tunisian national guards who sexually assaulted her. Her screams eventually saved her, but she’s one of many women who have endured rape and violence at the hands of Tunisian security forces. These forces, allegedly funded by the European Union, have been accused of widespread abuse against sub-Saharan migrants like Marie. According to Yasmine, who runs a healthcare organization in Sfax, hundreds of women have suffered violent sexual assaults by these officers over…

Spain has praised Morocco for successfully stopping several recent attempts by migrants to illegally cross into Spanish territories, particularly at the border of Ceuta and Melilla. The Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, expressed gratitude to Morocco’s security forces for their effective measures in containing these crossings. Over 4,500 suspected illegal migrants were arrested as Moroccan authorities, supported by the Royal Gendarmerie, effectively prevented numerous assaults on the border fence, with up to six organized attempts being reported. Most of the individuals attempting to cross into Spain came from countries like Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia, with social media…

Serbia has experienced a dramatic reduction in irregular border crossings this year, according to Interior Minister Ivica Dačić. During a recent meeting with Western Balkan leaders on September 17 in Berlin, Dačić shared that unauthorized entries into Serbia have decreased by an impressive 61.8 percent compared to the same period in 2023. This sharp decline highlights Serbia’s progress in managing migration issues in the region. From January to early September, the number of irregular entries into Serbia dropped by 63 percent. Similarly, unauthorized exits from the country fell by 55.5 percent. This significant decrease in migration has been attributed to…

On September 18, 2024, the Turkish Coast Guard conducted a significant rescue operation off the Aegean coast, saving 96 irregular migrants, including 41 children. This successful mission took place near the coastal regions of Izmir and Aydın, highlighting the ongoing challenges in managing migrant flows in the area. The rescue operation was initiated following reports of several rubber boats carrying migrants in distress. The Coast Guard Command teams, promptly dispatched to the location, worked efficiently to secure and rescue the individuals from the precarious situation. The timely response prevented potential disaster and ensured the safety of those on board. In…

In the luxury fashion world, the “Made in Italy” label is a symbol of high quality and exclusivity. However, a recent investigation reveals a darker side to this prestigious mark. Migrant workers, many of whom were undocumented, have endured harsh working conditions while crafting luxury items for top brands. These revelations highlight systemic issues within Italy’s fashion industry and raise questions about labour practices behind high-end products. In Prato, Tuscany, a region renowned for its leather goods, several workshops have come under scrutiny for employing migrant workers under dire conditions. Many of these workers were offered irregular contracts and had…

A recent study by C40 Cities and the Mayors Migration Council reveals a staggering prediction: up to eight million people may migrate to ten major cities across Africa, South America, and southern Asia by 2050 due to climate change, if current emission levels persist. This migration is likely to significantly impact cities such as Bogotá, Amman, Freetown, and Karachi. The research highlights that the scale of this climate-driven migration could be drastically reduced if global targets set by the Paris Agreement are met. The Paris Agreement aims to limit global warming to well below 2°C, ideally to 1.5°C, above pre-industrial…

In a significant political maneuver, the Dutch government has formally requested the European Union to grant the Netherlands an opt-out from the EU’s migration and asylum agreement. This request comes as the newly established right-wing cabinet seeks to enforce the country’s most stringent immigration policies to date. Marjolein Faber, the Dutch Minister of Asylum and Migration and a prominent member of the far-right Freedom Party, announced the request through a post on X (formerly Twitter). Faber highlighted the cabinet’s desire for the Netherlands to regain sovereignty over its asylum policies, asserting, “We need to be in charge of our own…

The Anti-Illegal Immigration Authority in Tobruk has recently deported 121 migrants as part of their ongoing fight against illegal immigration. This action is meant to reduce the number of undocumented migrants in the area. The people who were deported come from various countries, including Egypt, Syria, Sudan, Pakistan, and Chad. The decision to deport these migrants was mainly due to serious health issues. The Authority’s media office reported that many of the deported migrants had critical health problems. Specifically, 18 of them had viral hepatitis, and two had HIV/AIDS. This shows the difficult task authorities face in managing both immigration…

Australia’s largest celery producer, located on the Mornington Peninsula, has been penalized by the Federal Court for failing to pay its migrant workers appropriately. The court’s investigation revealed serious wage violations at the farm, including neglecting to meet minimum wage requirements, casual loading, overtime, and public holiday pay. From February 2020 to February 2021, A & G Lamattina & Sons was found to have significantly underpaid its workers. One employee was paid for only 10 weeks out of a full year, while another was shorted 30 weeks’ salary. A third worker received payment for just eight out of 41 weeks…