Author: RACHAEL ADEEGBE
Crete is now facing one of its worst migrant crises, with over 4,600 people arriving since January 2025. In just the last four days, 1,076 more migrants reached the island. Local port staff, authorities, and communities are under extreme pressure, both physically and mentally, as the situation gets worse each day. The Heraklion port, Greece’s third busiest, is under major strain. Workers are overwhelmed, and the conditions are becoming unbearable. The president of the Union of Eastern Crete Port Personnel, Giorgos Sfakianakis, explained that staff are watching helplessly as more migrants arrive daily. He said the crisis is now “out…
A violent shooting at the Blazuj migrant reception centre near Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, left six men injured on Monday night. According to the Sarajevo Canton police, the victims include one man from Pakistan and five others from Afghanistan. Two of the injured are in life-threatening condition, while three are seriously hurt. Police say several suspects have been identified and are currently being questioned. The incident has been classified as “attempted murder” by local prosecutors. Witnesses have also been interviewed as part of the investigation. Sources told BIRN (Balkan Investigative Reporting Network) that members of a criminal…
Taiwan has announced that it will officially open the doors of its hospitality sector to migrant workers in the second half of 2025. This decision comes amid an urgent shortage of staff in the tourism and hotel industries, especially in roles like housekeeping, cleaning, and front desk services. The move is expected to bring much-needed relief to hotel operators struggling to hire and retain workers. Chou Yung-hui, Director-General of the Tourism Administration, confirmed the new policy, explaining that it will be implemented in stages later this year. However, Chou stressed that local businesses must first prioritize hiring Taiwanese workers. “Only…
Mauritania has become the main departure country for migrants trying to reach Spain by sea, according to new data released by the Spanish National Security Department (DSN). In 2024 alone, about 25,000 migrants left Mauritania’s coast heading toward Spain. This number is nearly equal to the combined total of those departing from Morocco and Algeria. This trend highlights Mauritania’s growing role in migration routes from West Africa to Europe. The DSN, which reports directly to the Spanish government, warned that this pressure may increase in the future due to rising instability in the Sahel region, especially along the border with…
The UK government has launched a major plan worth £3 billion to help train local workers. This effort is meant to reduce how much the country depends on migrant labour. The government says this move will create 120,000 new training opportunities in key sectors like construction, health care, digital tech, and engineering. Why is this happening now? The government is under growing political pressure after the Reform UK party, which is against immigration, performed well in local elections. Prime Minister Keir Starmer wants the country to focus more on training young people in the UK instead of bringing in workers…
In a show of support for its overseas citizens, the Cambodian Embassy in South Korea recently partnered with Soon Chun Hyang (SCH) Hospital and the Gimhae Foreign Support Centre to offer free health checkups to Cambodian migrant workers and residents. The initiative, held on Saturday at the Gimhae Health Centre, drew over 150 Cambodians living and working in the country. The event was led by Cambodian Ambassador to South Korea, Chring Botum Rangsay, and attended by key Korean dignitaries including Gimhae Mayor Hong Tae Yong, Dr Park Byoungwon from SCH Hospital, and Kang Sun Hee, Deputy Director of the Gimhae…
Over 500 migrants have been rescued off the southern Greek island of Crete in recent days, signalling a major shift in Mediterranean migration routes and placing new pressure on Greece’s already strained asylum system. According to a statement released on May 25 by the Hellenic Coast Guard, the rescued individuals had attempted the dangerous sea crossing from Libya, with some vessels carrying dozens of people in unsafe, overcrowded conditions. On Saturday alone, about 280 people—including 13 minors—were saved from five shipwrecks. Most of the survivors were men who reportedly paid up to $4,000 for the journey. A 24-year-old Sudanese man…
The Council of Europe has firmly defended the independence of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) following pressure from nine member states to change how it handles migration cases. Secretary General Alain Berset warned against turning the court into a political battleground, emphasizing its crucial role in defending fundamental human rights and democratic stability. The debate was sparked by a joint letter from the leaders of Denmark, Italy, Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland. They urged the Council of Europe to begin discussions on reforming the ECtHR’s approach, arguing that recent rulings have hindered their ability to…
A Greek naval court has charged 17 coast guard officers over the tragic 2023 shipwreck near Pylos that claimed the lives of hundreds of migrants, according to legal sources. The officers are now under investigation for their possible roles in one of the deadliest maritime disasters in the Mediterranean in recent years. The incident occurred on June 14, 2023, when the overcrowded vessel Adriana, carrying around 750 migrants from Libya to Italy, capsized in international waters. Only 104 people are known to have survived, and the rest are feared drowned. The Greek coast guard had reportedly monitored the boat for…
A new wave of collaboration has begun in Abuja as African trade unions, private recruitment agencies, and the International Labour Organization (ILO) come together to combat the exploitation of migrant workers. The gathering, organized by the African Trade Union Migration Network (ATUMNET), represents a shift from mere complaints to active solutions aimed at safeguarding workers’ rights. During the event, Comrade Akhator Joel Odigie, General Secretary of ITUC-Africa, stressed the need for stronger cooperation among stakeholders. He highlighted that past discussions often involved only trade unions, which limited the possibility for change. “You will notice that for the first time, we…