Assessment on the involvement of unaccompanied minors in irregular migration in eastern zone of Tigray National Regional State, Ethiopia

Abstract

This cross-sectional descriptive research study investigated the involvement of the unaccompanied minors in irregular migration in Eastern Zone of Tigray National Regional State, using primary and secondary data sources. The data collected through questionnaire were analyzed using descriptive analysis whereas the data collected through interview and secondary sources were analyzed using thematic analysis. The push factors for the involvement of children in irregular migration were economic and social problems in their home country whereas the pull factors were better income and job opportunities in Saudi Arabia. Findings showed that heavy costs of transport, inability to repay loan, difficulty of adapting to Saudi Arabia‟s environment, social discrimination, physical and sexual abuses were negative consequences of irregular migration on the unaccompanied minors. The lack of implementing the existing anti-irregular migration laws, lack of awareness creation trainings on the effect of irregular migration, and the complex tactics of smugglers were challenges limiting reduction in the involvement of minor‟s in irregular migration. It also found that “proclamation no. 909/2015” is more of curative than preventive. The study recommended job creation, awareness creation/ training, taking effective measures on the smugglers, and modifying the „proclamation no 909/2015‟ in a preventive approach would reduce the irregular migration.