Pretoria: The Ministry in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD) has raised alarm over recent reports of alleged job offers circulating on social media, targeting young South African women aged 18 to 22 for employment opportunities in Russia.
According to South African Government News Agency, the Ministry emphasized the vulnerability faced by young women due to high youth unemployment and condemned the exploitation through false job offers. The department clarified that these work opportunities advertised on social media for positions in Russia are not facilitated or endorsed by the government. It highlighted that all legitimate international employment opportunities are organized through official diplomatic channels and formal bilateral agreements.
The Ministry urged young people to exercise extreme caution when engaging with unsolicited offers for international employment, particularly those distributed via social media and other online platforms. It advised verifying the authenticity of job adverts through the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), relevant embassies, the Department of Employment and Labour, the South African Police Service, or the Department of Higher Education and Training.
The department reiterated the importance of safeguarding the safety, dignity, and future of young South African women. It stressed that while the government is actively working to address youth unemployment through initiatives like the Presidential Employment Stimulus and the National Youth Service, combating unemployment requires collective effort. The department called upon stakeholders, including the private sector, civil society, labor, academia, and communities, to collaborate in creating sustainable pathways for decent work for young people.
To address the situation and provide clarity, the Ministry plans to engage with stakeholders including DIRCO, the Russian Embassy in South Africa, and the BRICS Women’s Business Alliance (WBA). The Ministry concluded by encouraging unity in protecting the dreams and dignity of South Africa’s young women and emphasized the need to build an inclusive economy that provides meaningful opportunities domestically.