As we mark 16 days of no violence against women, it is worth reflecting on how the Russian war has affected African women. The Russian invasion of Ukraine, now well into its third year, has resulted in Russia losing more than 600,000 soldiers and untold billions of dollars in its war machinery. This has pushed the Russian military-industrial complex into overdrive as it attempts to sustain the war effort without much success.
In desperation to replenish its arsenal, Russia has turned to countries like Iran and North Korea. North Korea has provided munitions towards this cause, while Iran entered a programme that provides Russia with its Shahed unmanned drone.
In a military agreement valued at more than $1.5bn, Russia began importing parts for Iranian drones to assemble in preparation for use in its war against Ukraine. In its bid to acquire cheap labour for this venture, Russia created a programme targeting developing countries for human resources towards its war effort. The Alabuga drone factory situated in the Tatarstan region of Russia would become what revelations confirm as a site of human rights atrocities committed against young African women.
The programme that targeted vulnerable countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America became attractive. This was due to the claim that successful participants admitted into the programme could relocate to Russia, would not incur costs but would be catered for, and upon completion be employed in various careers and paid at least $600 a month.
Russia launched the Alabuga Start International programme within the Alabuga Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and billed it as a platform where young women between 18 and 22 could receive training and launch their careers in many professions. The programme that targeted vulnerable countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America became attractive. This was due to the claim that successful participants admitted into the programme could relocate to Russia, would not incur costs but would be catered for, and upon completion be employed in various careers and paid at least $600 a month.
Using disinformation platforms on social media and various websites, young women were invited to make applications for these lucrative offers. Those who took the risk and travelled to Russia many months later emerged and blew the whistle on Russia’s duplicity and the exploitation they were subjected to while enrolled in the Alabuga programme. Many young women are now speaking out about the shock they experienced when they were trained and put to work in the Alabuga drone factory to assemble drones destined to be used in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.
In what many are now describing as a trap, Russia has and continues to lure young African women from about 30 nations. Many young women who are in the grip of this programme come from countries that include Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, South Sudan, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Ethiopia and Tanzania. Vulnerable young African women continue to be lured with the promise of a better life and a chance at earning a decent living in Russia only to be exploited and abused by a country that uses their skills and labour to fuel an illegal war.
Russia is in stark violation of human rights law, labour rights law and its international treaty obligations. The Russian Federation has ratified the 1930 International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention on Forced Labour, also known as C029. This convention specifically expects that member states will not engage in forced labour and will do everything within their power to eliminate this practice within their jurisdiction.
The 1930 Convention on Forced Labour in its various articles addresses key issues pertinent to forced or compulsory labour in all its forms. Article one addresses the eradication of all forms of forced labour in the shortest time possible. Article two clarifies that forced labour includes all work and service exacted from any person under the use of threats of force or untold consequences if an individual does not accept what they are told. Article 25 states any illegal exaction of forced or compulsory labour shall be punishable as a penal offence.
Despite being a signatory to this important convention, Russia has, using duplicity, lured and forced young African women into forced labour in its weapons and munitions factory in the Tatarstan region. Some of the gross violations escapees said they were subjected to included inhumane conditions, long hours and handling dangerous chemicals without being provided with protective clothing to safeguard their health.
Russia is also in violation of the UN Convention Against Transnational Organised Crime that came into effect in 2003, to which it is a signatory. By using fraudulent means to lure immigrant labour to its shores, Russia’s actions are in clear violation of best practices. Lack of full disclosure in the advertising of the actual labour required can be classified as potential labour trafficking. This further violates the human rights of the eventual victims. Lack of disclosure is interpreted as clear premeditation of intent to acquire labour with a view to exploiting these immigrants.
The other issue of concern is the total disregard for the safety of these young women. By manufacturing weapons, this factory, under international humanitarian law, is designated as a viable target that can be bombed. Ukrainian intelligence, already aware of the existence of this factory, has successfully attacked and bombed it, with reports that the latest attack left several casualties, all of whom were immigrants confined in the factory compound.
The UN and nations of the world should raise their voices in condemning Russia’s illegal human labour violations and trafficking. This gross disregard for human rights and the ILO convention should be particularly condemned and the world's collective voice should unify behind the safeguarding of human rights in this day and age. Critical awareness should be raised that Russia is exploiting the tough economic times around the world to lure and traffic young women.
Prof Onkgopotse JJ Tabane is an adjunct professor of media studies at the University of Botswana
For opinion and analysis consideration, email Opinions@timeslive.co.za
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