Secret Reveal: What Zimbabwe’s Healthcare Workers Are Doing to Get UK Jobs – Replicate it Now!!

When Kundai graduated with a master’s degree from a local university, she never anticipated remaining unemployed for five years. Her journey to a career in healthcare and financial stability took an unexpected turn through marrying her nephew.

Despite attending multiple interviews since 2018, job offers never materialized. “Every time they asked for work experience, but I had none because no organization gave me a chance after my first degree,” says Kundai, who prefers to use only her first name to protect her job prospects.

She took up odd jobs like cleaning houses, gardening, and babysitting. Last year, a friend moving to the United Kingdom due to a job secured by a relative shared updates on UK job opportunities with Kundai.

Kundai began her own UK job search and started the application process to relocate. “I saw a brighter future for myself abroad. Even odd jobs there seemed better than enduring years of unemployment, despite my qualifications here in Zimbabwe,” she reflects.

Securing her visa took nearly eight months, requiring a costly certificate of sponsorship. “The process is expensive, especially the sponsorship certificate, which we hear should be free,” Kundai remarks.

This electronic certificate proves a UK company’s responsibility for the employee during their visa’s validity. It specifies work hours allocated and confirms job availability upon arrival. From July 2022 to June this year, the UK issued 271,523 sponsorships, a 57% increase.

Rise of Zimbabweans Moving to the UK

In response to pandemic pressures, the UK introduced a health and care worker visa in 2020. This visa facilitates migration for roles with the National Health Service (NHS), NHS suppliers, or adult social care, significantly boosting Zimbabwean visa applications since 2021.

Zimbabweans, comprising 1% of UK work sponsorship visas in 2021, grew to 4% in 2022 and 7% by early 2023. They rank third in health and care worker visas, behind India and Nigeria, marking a 418% increase for Zimbabwe over the previous year.

Despite the demand, moving to the UK remains costly, particularly due to sponsorship certificate fees. High demand has spawned a black market where certificates fetch between £3,500 and £7,000 ($4,200 to $8,500).

Sellers justify costs by offering accommodations and benefits for initial UK stays. Applicants must also pass an English test, a tuberculosis test, hold a valid driver’s license, and secure a job offer.

Desperation has led some to fall prey to fraudulent agents. Arrivals discover purchased certificates lack work allocations, leaving them unemployed until resolved. Others find sponsors revoked, despite high fees paid, stranding them without income.

In Search of Sponsorship

Tapfumaneyi Soko, unable to secure a sponsorship certificate legally, turned to a WhatsApp group for assistance. Following advice, he purchased one for £3,500, selling property and borrowing money for payment.

His agent claimed UK healthcare quotas would soon close, pressuring him to act swiftly. Despite assurances, delays mounted until the agent disappeared, leaving Soko without recourse.

Zimbabwe’s Reaction to UK Migration

Efforts to curb migration include UK travel restrictions and WHO recommendations for managed healthcare workforce movements. Despite warnings, scams persist, with police focusing on certificate fraud and other migration-related crimes.

As Kundai settles into her UK life with her nephew, employed in a care home, she stands by her decision. “I’m proud to have helped my family through this journey,” she says, reflecting on her unconventional path to UK employment.

Zimbabwe’s Efforts to Retain Healthcare Workers

Addressing parliament, former Health Minister Constantino Chiwenga highlighted the impact of healthcare worker emigration. Attrition rates, particularly among nurses and dieticians, have soared, shrinking Zimbabwe’s healthcare workforce despite ministry efforts to stem the tide with incentives.

These include transport, housing, and wage increases aimed at retaining staff. However, many still opt for UK migration, drawn by job security and economic opportunities.

Legal and Illegal Paths to UK Migration

Despite UK restrictions on legal migration paths, many Zimbabweans seek unauthorized routes due to prohibitive costs and delays in obtaining sponsorship certificates. Fraudulent agents exploit desperation, selling fake certificates or promising employment that never materializes.

The UK government warns against such practices, with recent arrests targeting certificate fraud and other migration-related crimes. Instances of fraud highlight the risks faced by migrants and the need for vigilance in navigating UK immigration processes.

Conclusion

Kundai and Tapfumaneyi’s stories underscore the challenges and motivations driving Zimbabweans to seek UK employment. While some find success despite obstacles, others face financial ruin and legal repercussions due to fraudulent practices.

As Zimbabwe grapples with healthcare worker shortages and economic pressures, the allure of UK job opportunities persists. The journey, however, remains fraught with uncertainties and risks, prompting calls for enhanced regulatory measures and support for legal migration pathways.