Jordan: the Eldorado which makes the largest employment agency out of the HAT

The HAT was long famed for his secretive privileged ties with the Middle East. A massive recrutment of Malagasy workers to be sent to this region was however not expected. The minister of Labour and Social Laws announced that a Jordanian tax free factory would be recruiting Malagasy workers. Some 3 000 jobs would be proposed. The state is actually the one leading the operation as an employment agency. 

The Lebanese experience turned into a national drama even though some workers are quite correctly earning their living, so minister Rasamoelina presented Jordan like an Eldorado. “A tax free corporation having already worked in Madagascar is the one recruiting “, he argued. The corporation has a past experience and Malagasy workers may at least expect to be welcome. “It is a solution for workers who lost their jobs “, added the minister of labour. 

Why would Jordan be an Eldorado and not a second lebanese hell? The minister of Labour kept on with his comforting tone. “Social laws in Jordan are very modern “, he replied. Malagasy workers would find a welcoming environment therefore, and would be granted some rights. Room for doubts is large, regarding the tax free factories´ social policy. “I took all necessary measures, Malagasy workers may be sent in Jordan, a representative of the ministry is going to make the move every year and see to it, that everything remains ok”, promised the minister. 

According to Henri Rasamoelina, expatriation is a normal phenomenon which requires optimism. “There are foreign workers in Madagascar as SHERITT´s Filipinos, justify himself him. Why denying their chance to Malagasy workers willing to work abroad? “. The ministry is addressing the possibility to send furthermore workers to Gulf countries as Kuwait or Saudi Arabia. On the other hand, Lebanon is still remaining on the black list of destinations for Malagasy labour force. 

 Henri Rasamoelina´s plan to send jobless workers abroad is everything but a cause for jubilation. Mahefa R., 32 years old, lost his job as supervisor in a tax free factory in 2009. Out of work, he is now seriously considering the Jordanian proposition. “I´ve been trying to recover a job in the sector for two years, without success. In Madagascar, tax free factory is held as part of the textile industry when no further detail is being specified”, he said. 

Will Mahefa leave? “I know that over there, wages would be slightly better than here but so will the expenses for sure. Without granted facilities, I don´t know how could we ever bear the cost of living there. Who is going to pay for plane tickets, no one has the required millions to this end “. The language barreer equally frightens the Malagasy workers most likely to have to work with Jordanians.