The Commonwealth Youth Council, CYC, has condemned in strong terms the on-going xenophobia attacks on Africans in South Africa and described the attacks as a breach of the commonwealth values.
Ahmed Adamu, the chairperson of the council in statement issued on Friday, said social cohesion is a guarantee for success and development and should not see immigrants as enemies of progress.
“People coming to your country to work are to your advantage as they will add to your productive labor force that propel your economy. They will have to exchange their foreign currencies with yours, injecting your economy with hard currencies and creates demand for your currency.
“The visa fees and the flight fare they pay your domestic airlines, the purchases, rent and patronage within your economy add up to the positive economic indicators of your country and they will help you learn new skills and exchange ideas and partner for developments”.
The youth leader stated that there are two immigrants:
- Professionals/businessmen.
- Low skills immigrants.
The first category adds to the value of the economy, they inject lots to the economy. The second group provide cheap labor, making cost of production cheaper” and maintained that it is an open world with equal opportunities and urged South African youths to “be fit and don’t be lazy”.
“Immigrants put you on your toes, to be competitive and challenge you to do more. If immigrants are preferred, it means they have competitive skills required for the job, and the efficiency of every job in your country is a positive indicator”.
