Albanian youth risk everything for a better life in England

2023-03-23 22:53:02Aktualitet SHKRUAR NGA ASSOCIATED PRESS
Albanian youth risk everything for a better life in England

Monika Mulaj's son was in his second year of university for mechanical engineering, when he decided to take a bold decision. He told his parents that he was leaving Albania for a new future in Britain.

"We tried to meet all his requests, for books and clothes, food and some entertainment. But he was still unhappy,” said Ms. Mulaj, a teacher at Bajram Curri High School in the town, one of the country's poorest regions.

Five years later, her now 25-year-old son has two jobs in Britain and is reluctant to return to his homeland. "Albania is taking steps backwards", he tells his mother. Thousands of young Albanians have crossed the English Channel in dinghies and small boats in search of work in Great Britain. Their odyssey reflects the anemic economy in Albania and the desire of a new generation for new opportunities.

In 2018, only 300 people reached Britain via the English Channel. In 2022, this number went to 45,000, partly due to inflows from Albania, a country that seeks to join the European Union.

The other migrants were from Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria. Unlike many countries that encourage migration, Albania is considered a safe country by British officials.

Britain is attractive to Albanians because it has a better economy and higher wages than Albania's neighboring countries, Greece or Italy. Another attractive element is that Albanians have relatives in the United Kingdom. The city of Birmingham is home to a large community of migrants from Croatia.

The deputy mayor of Bajram Curri, Abedin Kerrnaja, said that young people leave because of low wages and difficulties to build a comfortable family life. His two sons are in Great Britain.

Xhemile Tafaj, who owns a restaurant on a picturesque plateau outside the city, said that "young people have no money to attend school, no job and no income. The situation, she says, has meant that only the elderly remain in the country and soon the houses will be emptied.

Northeastern Albania does not offer many employment opportunities, except for local governments, schools, hospitals and some cafes and restaurants.

Petrit Lleshi, who owns a motel in Kukës, says that he has been trying to find waiters for two years. "I wouldn't blame a 25-year-old who leaves because the wages are low. What our country offers is not enough to build a good life", says Mr. Lleshi.

There are few who require a visa. Migrants usually pay €5,000 to €20,000 risking their lives to enter Britain illegally. Many of the migrants take out loans in the hope of finding a secure job.

But the reality in Britain is different, they are forced to work in the houses of the herb, as cannabis is called, for two years to pay the money borrowed to pay the traffickers, according to Albanian media reports.

But the large number of Albanian migrants entering Britain illegally has sparked heated debate recently between British and Albanian leaders.

British Interior Minister Suella Braverman has described the arrivals as an "invasion of the southern coasts". On the other hand, Prime Minister Edi Rama described the comments as an attempt to cover up the failed border policies of the United Kingdom.

Mr. Rama, who is in Britain today for talks with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, repeated his harsh criticism of Ms. Braverman in an interview with the BBC.

Several agencies are investing in programs that aim to provide jobs for Albanians and meet the needs of British employers. These jobs are generally remote.

Elias Mazloum with the group "Social Development Investments" says that immigration is "cancer". "We are offering chemotherapy after using a large amount of morphine to delay immigration," he said.

According to his project, 10 companies in Ireland will hire 10 young Albanians to work remotely with a salary of 500 euros per month in the first year. During this time they will be trained and equipped with certificates from the Irish Institute of Digital Marketing. Then they are employed remotely with a monthly salary of 1000 euros. The goal is to create a remote employment system in the region.

A British project in Kukes supports small and medium-sized businesses in tourism and agriculture and will open a vocational school.

The Albanian government has also offered incentives. Young couples opening a small business will be exempt from tax for up to three years and couples returning from Britain will be rewarded with €5,000.

Mr. Mazloum's organization has negotiated with the company "Vodafone Albania" to offer free high-speed internet for those who work remotely.

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