Alabuga Start: a cautionary tale for young job seekers

THIS week, I was deeply disturbed by reports that social media influencers had earlier this year promoted a so-called job programme in Russia.

- DIEKETSENG MALEKE

Marketed as a golden ticket for young women aged 18 to 22, the “Alabuga Start” initiative promised international careers, free flights, housing, and Russian language classes.

But beneath the glossy Instagram reels and TikTok testimonials lies a darker truth: the programme is now under investigation for human trafficking and labour rights violations.

Young South African women, many of whom were simply trying to escape the harsh realities of unemployment, might have been lured into what appears to be a factory job assembling military drones in Russia’s Tatarstan region.

According to reports, once there, they reportedly faced long hours, withheld passports, surveillance, and conditions that stripped them of their dignity and autonomy.

Deputy Minister of Women, Youth, and Persons with disabilities, Steve Letsike, has raised the alarm about fake foreign job offers circulating on social media, specifically targeting young South African women. He says in some cases, these so-called Russian opportunities have led directly to human trafficking.