New opportunities for skilled Zimbabweans
04/04/2008
Political unrest, collapse of infrastructure and rising unemployment has caused skilled Zimbabweans to migrate in search of a brighter future.
Zimbabwe is estimated to have a population of 13 million, however mass exodus makes these numbers unreliable. Around 3.4 million people from Zimbabwe are believed to have fled their home land and it is the immigration of skilled workers that worsens the Zimbabwean situation.
In a survey on Zimbabweans in South Africa by the Centre for Development and Enterprises, of the almost 5000 migrants profiles 92% had left Zimbabwe between 2000 and 2007, citing political and lack of employment as reasons.
The shortage of skills has also greatly affected the mining industry of Zimbabwe, with workers from the top down joining firms throughout Africa constantly in need of skills due to constant implementation of new projects.
A move is highly attractive for these skilled people due to lack of employment and low pay. A skilled worker can earn about $2500 outside Zimbabwe compared to $200 within Zimbabwe.
South Africa, in particular, can make use of these highly skilled migrants but current policies make this difficult. The South African Qualifications Authority found that the majority of qualifications evaluated by them were for Zimbabwean work permits, suggesting high skills levels among immigrants.
Zimbabweans in South Africa are thought to number up to 4 million and due to the current turmoil around the elections this number is sure to rise.
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