The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities has expressed concern over reports of alleged job offers circulating on social media targeting young South African women, aged 18 to 22, promising supposed work opportunities in Russia.

The department has urged young people to exercise extreme caution when engaging with such online content.

The department’s spokesperson Cassius Selala confirmed that the so-called job offers being circulated online are not endorsed by the South African government.

“Although we recognise that South Africa faces unacceptably high youth unemployment, especially among young women, this harsh reality must never be exploited through false job offers,” Selala said.

He said that legitimate international employment opportunities facilitated by the government are arranged through formal diplomatic channels and bilateral agreements.

“Young people are urged to exercise extreme caution when engaging with unsolicited offers for international employment, particularly those distributed via social media and other online platforms,” he said.

Earlier, IOL News reported that social media personality and DJ Cyan Boujee travelled to Russia in July as part of a paid influencer campaign. 

At the weekend, she shared a video documenting her trip. Boujee, whose real name is Honour Zuma, has more than 900,000 Instagram followers. 

In the video, she promoted the Alabuga Start programme, highlighting various aspects of its operations.

However, concerns have emerged over the true nature of the programme. 

According to the Business and Human Rights Resource Centre, The Associated Press reported in October 2024 that women from Central and East Africa were recruited via social media to work in a factory in Russia assembling drones intended for use in Ukraine.

Following public backlash and mounting questions over the legitimacy of the programme, several influencers removed their promotional videos.

In South Africa, where youth unemployment remains high, scams targeting desperate job seekers are increasingly common. 

Influencers including Peachy Sprinkles (Siyamthanda Anita), Ghost Hlubi (Khanya Hlubi), Seemah (Sima Mangolwane), and Zillewizzy (Khathutshelo Netshitomboni) also promoted the Alabuga Start programme.

Reports indicate that around 200 women from Africa were employed at a factory in the Alabuga Special Economic Zone in Tatarstan, working alongside Russian vocational students – some as young as 15 – in a weapons manufacturing facility. 

Many women only discovered the true nature of the work after arriving, having been promised roles in fields such as hospitality as part of a “work-study” programme.

The women reportedly experienced multiple labour rights violations, including long working hours, constant surveillance, lower-than-promised wages, and restrictions on their freedom of movement and communication. 

Occupational health and safety breaches were also reported, including exposure to chemicals that caused skin injuries.

Selala advised that any overseas job or study offer must be verified with relevant authorities, including the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), the Department of Employment and Labour, the South African Police Service, and the Department of Higher Education and Training.

“The safety, dignity and future of young South African women are of paramount importance. We cannot allow desperation borne of high unemployment to be weaponised against our youth,” he said.

He reaffirmed the government’s efforts to tackle youth unemployment through initiatives such as the Presidential Employment Stimulus, the National Youth Service, and various skills development programmes. 

However, Selala acknowledged that the issue cannot be solved by the government alone.

“We call on all stakeholders, the private sector, civil society, labour, academia and communities , to join hands with the government in creating sustainable pathways for decent work for young people, especially young women, who remain most vulnerable to exploitative practices,” he said.

He confirmed that the department would engage with DIRCO, the Russian Embassy in South Africa and the BRICS Women’s Business Alliance to gain full clarity on the nature of these employment offers.

Speaking to Bongani Bingwa on Radio 702, DIRCO Head of Public Diplomacy Clayson Monyela explained how some so-called international job opportunities are linked to human trafficking.

“Passports are taken upon arrival, you live in slave-like conditions, and you’re not allowed to contact your family freely. When communication is allowed, it is heavily monitored – you essentially lose your freedom,” he said.

Monyela shared a case in which a young woman was repatriated to South Africa after discovering that the reality of her job in Russia did not match what had been promised.

Monyela issued a public warning on X (formerly known as Twitter).

“Some are being promoted by influencers on TikTok, Instagram and other platforms. Human trafficking syndicates are luring people into all sorts of illegal activities under slave-like conditions. If something looks too good to be true, get a second opinion. Contact @DIRCO\_ZA or any of our embassies in the country of interest.”

The Advertising Regulatory Board’s Social Media Code, adopted in 2019, states that all social media advertising must not include deceptive, false or misleading content. 

Clause 4.1 of the code also requires that influencers disclose any material benefit received in return for promotional content.

simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za

IOL News

Source link