By Alana Bailey

Recent events such as natural disasters, political unrest and of course the Covid-19 pandemic have taught us that borders can close at short notice, playing havoc with people’s immigration plans. The purpose of this article is neither to deter any person from migrating, nor to judge or condemn their choices, or sound overly negative. We simply want to highlight some practical matters that people considering immigration should keep in mind, in order to ensure that they will be able to make informed decisions.

1. Unemployment is a reality

Any negative events such as the examples referred to above have an influence on unemployment rates. This applies not only to the areas where such events occur, but also to countries that have a business relationship with the affected region. Even if a country seems to be an attractive immigration destination now, things may change overnight, and unemployment rates may skyrocket.

2. Last in, first out

In many countries and companies, the principle of last in, first out applies, in other words if you are the most recently appointed employee, you will be the first to go if staff are cut.

3. Loyalty often lies first with one’s own citizens

South Africans will always compete with local communities’ unemployed. Especially if you do not have an established career and local work record yet, it may be difficult to find other work.

At the American Statue of Liberty, lines from the poem The New Colossus by Emma Lazarus are quoted which reads:

Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

In real life, immigrants are rarely viewed in the same romantic light. They are often seen as competitors for scarce resources, or even as opportunists. Do not expect that special consideration will be given to the needs of a South African or a South African family abroad.

4. Welfare assistance is not necessarily accessible to foreign citizens

Although many countries provide excellent care to their citizens and other residents, including medical care or grants in case of unemployment, this is not automatically available to everyone. Sometimes access will be linked to your residential status in the country, or how long you have been living there. Support with medical treatment may even depend on information about your expected chance of recovery, or lifestyle issues such as your weight.

5. Other South Africans are not a safety net

South Africans abroad sometimes take care of each other wonderfully, but this is voluntary assistance that cannot be guaranteed or will continue indefinitely. This even applies to friends and family abroad.

6. Unfortunately, accidents happen

The old saying goes that there are no guarantees in life except taxes and death. Accidents cannot be predicted – someone with the best job offer may suddenly fall and break his back, or get a lingering illness like cancer, suddenly be sued for a divorce, or find out that the agent assisting him with the immigration process, is a swindler.

7. Borders may close at any time

Because disasters, pandemics and violence happen, borders may close, which means that one can become stranded in another country – perhaps even at your own expense. Unless you have provided for this contingency, it can be disastrous for your budget.

Recommendations

Find out which safety nets exist.

First of all, don’t burn any bridges in South Africa before you depart. Maintain a good relationship with friends, family, colleagues, and employers.

Also, don’t leave debts behind that could result in prosecution if you had to return. Leave with a clean slate.

Don’t terminate policies or sell property until you are absolutely sure that you will not be returning.

Find out about insurance options, for example in case of illness for medical care and in case of long-term or permanent disability for repatriation or local care. If such insurance is linked to your job offer, find out what would happen if you were to lose this job.

No matter how happy your marriage is, make sure what protection one partner would have if, for whatever reason, the other were to disappear.

If you migrate with the aid of an agent, make sure that there is sufficient independent evidence of the person or company’s reliability.

Undertake research about the destination country’s labour laws. Talk to other South Africans there beforehand to hear how they experience it – not friends and family, but people who are not involved with you and will give you an honest opinion. Just because a country is in the so-called First World, does not necessarily mean that the legislation there will offer more protection for an employee than in South Africa.

An attractive offer of employment is good news, but ask yourself if it were to be withdrawn, is there a demand for people with your skills, experience and qualifications in the destination country, to enable you to make other plans if you were to lose the offer or appointment?

Also keep an eye on the news – if the risk of a financial collapse, political unrest or other negative events exists in the country of your choice, reports about it will appear.

Migrating is one of the most far-reaching and expensive decisions for an individual or family. The abovementioned suggestions require effort, but may just mean the difference between prosperity and disaster.