Zimbabweans warned about Saudi job risks

Zimbabweans considering employment in Saudi Arabia, particularly in the beauty industry, have been urged to exercise extreme caution and verify job offers before committing, amid rising concerns over misleading recruitment practices.

The warning comes from Zimbabwe's Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Jonathan Wutawunashe, who has sounded the alarm over deceptive agents luring job seekers with false promises of high pay and favourable working conditions, only for them to face exploitative environments upon arrival.

"While there are legitimate opportunities for decent employment in Saudi Arabia, some Zimbabweans, particularly ladies who have an interest in working in the beauty industry, are getting disillusioned when they arrive at their workplaces and discover that the working conditions offered by the employer are a far cry from those they were promised by recruiters back home,” said Ambassador Wutawunashe.

He revealed that some recruiters in Zimbabwe are promising prospective employers in Saudi Arabia cheap labour, while simultaneously offering recruits inflated salary expectations – a double-deception that leads to frustration and exploitation.

"The employer jumps at the opportunity to recruit less expensively, while the recruit is enticed by rosy, but fictitious, remuneration prospects,” he said.

To address the growing problem, Ambassador Wutawunashe urged Zimbabweans to contact the Zimbabwean Embassy in Riyadh for job offer verification. He encouraged job seekers to submit employment contracts and employer details to the embassy before making any commitments or payments.

"Our nationals must therefore exercise due diligence before accepting employment offers,” he said, adding that the embassy can assess the credibility of foreign employers and advise accordingly.

In Zimbabwe, the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare has also been tasked with assessing and accrediting recruitment agencies, to ensure that only reputable entities are allowed to operate.

"Job seekers looking for employment in Saudi Arabia can, additionally, inquire with Zimbabwe's Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare on the standing of recruitment agencies,” said the Ambassador.

This proactive stance is aimed at protecting Zimbabwean workers, especially vulnerable women, from labour exploitation and human rights violations in foreign markets.

The embassy's intervention comes amid growing regional and international concern over labour abuses linked to some employment contracts in the Middle East, particularly for workers in domestic, hospitality, and personal care sectors.

Zimbabweans have been encouraged to report suspicious recruitment agents, and to treat all overseas job offers with scepticism until independently verified.