Ethiopia: 1000 migrant workers return from Saudi Arabia

APA-Addis Ababa More than a thousand Ethiopian migrant workers returned home as authorities resume repatriating citizens stranded in Saudi Arabia. “The Government of Ethiopia will continue to strengthen its repatriation and ensure the orderly return of its citizens,” State Minister of Foreign Affairs Birtukan Ayano said on Tuesday while welcoming the…

APA-Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) More than a thousand Ethiopian migrant workers returned home as authorities resume repatriating citizens stranded in Saudi Arabia.

“The Government of Ethiopia will continue to strengthen its repatriation and ensure the orderly return of its citizens,” State Minister of Foreign Affairs Birtukan Ayano said on Tuesday while welcoming the returnees today.

The government launched the push to bring Ethiopians living in harsh conditions in Saudi Arabia back to their country on March 30, 2022, with a plan to repatriate 102, 000 citizens in up to eleven months.

In the first round which lasted until August 29, a total of 71,779 citizens came back to their country.

Young men constituted the majority of the returnees (57,794), followed by 10,018 females and 3,967 children.

“The returnees received the necessary support and care in shelter centers set up in the capital, and eventually rejoined their families,” said the Ministry of Women and Social Affairs on Sunday.

More to Return

The government has Tuesday resumed another round of the repatriation process. Three planes flew in today, bringing a total of 1,170 Ethiopians back to Addis Ababa.

State Minister of Foreign Affairs Birtukan welcomed the returnees at the Bole International Airport.

The effort to repatriate citizens living in difficult situations in Saudi Arabia will be intensified.