Senegambians
living in European countries, hit hard by the recession a few years ago, are
reportedly moving back following news that such countries are now,
“Regaining economic strength and
embarking on a positive campaign of job creation.”
Senegambians,
who spoke to The Point Newspaper in Madrid, Spain, highlighted various issues
and disclosed an unprecedented movement in recent years.
Yusupha
Kanteh, who left Spain for Germany three years ago, told this correspondent in
the Spanish capital that he recently received an email from his former employer
that he could return and, “Get back to work as soon as possible.”
He
said it was a very good news.
“However,
I hesitated a little bit until it was confirmed and now I am back. I speak good
Spanish and my job was equally good but it is different in Germany because I
can’t speak proper Germany. It was a nightmare for me,” he added.
Several
other Senegambians from several European countries are currently in the United
Kingdom, Germany and other European countries. Some are able to find work while
others desperately trying to make ends meet.
Amy
Toure, a Senegalese national, who also returned to Spain, was previously living
in London.
She
is a Spanish resident but moved to the UK from Greece.
She
said it was difficult to secure work in the city. A few months later, she moved
to the West Midlands and was able to get a part-time job.
“That
was not satisfactory either as I needed a proper job but speaking English was
my problem, nonetheless, I gained lots of experience and support from the UK,”
she said.
She
is currently on her way to Greece where she said she has been offered a
full-time job.
Despite
some of the positive news, others are reluctant that there is no reason to
return because, “The ability to secure a permanent job may be a gamble.”
Kebba
Sissoho insisted; “I am already in the UK working and able to send money back
to my family in Madrid. There is no reason to return until I see something
tangible.”
A
few years ago, Senegambians living in Portugal also commended the Portuguese
government for “Working very hard to put the economy back on its feet,” and
allowing them the opportunity to “Live a normal life in the country,” despite reports
of high unemployment. Since then many of them moved to other countries.
However,
Elizabeth Sarr, a Senegalese national with a Portuguese mother has a completely
different reason for returning.
She
noted that she is currently getting prepared to return, “Simply because of
Brexit. My future in the UK is very uncertain because if the UK finally leaves
the European Union, it will be something else, therefore I better get ready
now,” she noted.
It
is important to note that EU citizens enjoy the free movement of workers and
this includes the “Rights of Movement and Residence.” It also entails “Rights
of Entry and Residence,” for family members.
The
EU rules documented it clearly that people must be treated on an, “equal
footing.”
Notwithstanding,
Senegambians are known to be hardworking and law abiding across the continent
and are bracing for the forthcoming election in the UK that will define not
only how they can live and work in the country but also the kind of
negotiations the incoming government can undertake with the EU.
