Calls mount for probes into SA influencers punting Russian jobs programme amid concerns of human trafficking

JOHANNESBURG - Global job recruiters are back in the spotlight on Monday after a social media post raised suspicion about potentially bogus scholarship and job ads.

Calls for intensified probes follow a fresh recruitment drive using South African social media influencers to draw young women to jobs in foreign countries, including Russia.

A popular influencer with almost 1 million followers on Instagram and 1.7 million followers on TikTok is among those facing backlash for punting a jobs programme in Russia amid concerns it may have links to human trafficking.

Former MP Phumzile van Damme sounded the alarm after videos of influencers were circulated on social media promoting the Alabuga Start programme in Russia, including a now deleted post.

"I am in Russia, the Republic of Tartastan. This is where the Start program takes place. Apparently girls are treated fairly here – Africans, Asians, Latin Americans. They are given housing, jobs and on top of that, they are taught how to speak Russian. This is a new start, basically," an influencer seen on video sayswhile touring one of the facilities."

A Bloomberg report has since tied a similar campaign to a dubious recruitment drive that allegedly puts migrant workers in factories where military drones are manufactured.

Head of public diplomacy at the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, Clayson Monyela, said the claims were under investigation, warning young people not to fall for unverified foreign job offers.