Migrants in Cape Verde originating from other African nations have expressed grievances to Lusa regarding the lack of adequate living and working conditions after being lured by promises of lucrative employment or the illusion of reaching Europe.
A 33-year-old Nigerian woman traveled to Cape Verde approximately 10 months ago after selling her car and paying 800 euros to a middleman who promised her employment and housing as a caregiver for an elderly individual.
She chose anonymity to reflect the precarious situation she endured. She noted that her sister, who works at an airport in Nigeria, noticed a high volume of people traveling to Cape Verde, and a woman in her homeland claimed to run an agency managing the entire process.
However, upon her arrival in the capital city of Praia, no one was waiting for her. Lacking the ability to speak Creole and possessing no local contacts, the initial shock was severe. She resorted to walking through various neighborhoods searching for assistance and employment. Months later, she managed to secure a job through the support of the resident African community.
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She now works as a domestic helper earning a monthly salary of 24,000 escudos (218 euros), backed by a formal contract and registration with the National Social Security Institute (INPS). She stated that she feels more stable now and intends to remain in the country.
Yet, there are instances where the initial shock persists and transforms into deep regret. Celestino Dias, a representative from the Guinean association Cabaz di Terra operating in the Cape Verdean capital, affirmed that many arrive harboring false illusions and end up trapped in the informal sector without contracts or legal protection.
He indicated that some companies take advantage of their desperation, and migrants accept whatever they can find because they have families to support. Dias noted that the most common outcomes involve women working as street vendors or domestic servants, while men are funneled into civil construction or night-watchman roles.
A migrant from Guinea-Bissau spoke to Lusa in a Praia neighborhood where he works paving cobblestone streets. He explained that he was a merchant in Guinea-Bissau, but a friend assured him that income levels were very high in Cape Verde.
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Upon arrival, he realized the reality was entirely different and the labor was exceedingly difficult. He arrived in the archipelago two years ago under the impression that he could earn a salary of 70,000 escudos (634 euros) in construction—an expectation far removed from reality.
He explained that a construction assistant receives about 1,000 escudos (nine euros) per day, while an experienced worker might make 2,000 escudos (18 euros). He also pointed out frequent salary delays that prevent him from sending money to his wife and four children in Guinea-Bissau.
Under an intense sun, this worker and four other laborers spend hours hunched over aligning cobblestones without any protective equipment. They complain that they lack the financial means to treat headaches and other frequent physical ailments.
In another neighborhood of Praia, another worker who previously operated as a bricklayer in Guinea-Bissau was convinced by a friend to travel to the archipelago, expecting to earn around 30,000 escudos (272 euros) per month. He stated that he has never had a contract, his wages are almost always delayed, and after living in the country for nearly a year, his home contains only the bare essentials for survival.
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Another laborer added that he accepted a construction company’s invitation, but the employment terminated after three months, leaving him unable to eat properly.
José Ramos Viana, president of the African Community Platform, denounced the existence of networks that engage in fraudulent recruitment within countries of origin, even fueling the misconception that Cape Verde serves as an easy stepping stone to European nations. He stated that these criminal associations promise the world, pocket the money, and disappear when the individuals arrive.
This exploitation often occurs within the migrant communities themselves, particularly among certain networks taking advantage of newcomers’ ignorance. There are also documented cases of document forgery involving paid promises to facilitate onward travel to Portugal.
Viana emphasized that many lack legal documentation, leaving them unable to claim their rights, forcing them to accept low wages, and causing integration difficulties due to language barriers and discrimination.
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The Inspector General of Labor in Cape Verde, Anildo Fortes, acknowledged visible risk factors regarding labor intermediation, where alleged employers may exploit the relationship.
He identified civil construction as one of the most critical sectors due to high informality and rapid worker turnover, which complicates regulatory oversight as laborers frequently move between construction sites. Nonetheless, he guaranteed that authorities are monitoring the situation in coordination with the National Police, the High Authority for Immigration, and the National Observatory Against Human Trafficking.
Lusa attempted to obtain additional statements from the Ministry of Social Inclusion, the High Authority for Immigration, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), but received no response.
The Cape Verdean government and corporate sectors have previously warned of a domestic labor shortage driven significantly by the emigration of its own citizens to destinations like Portugal in search of better opportunities. To remedy this structural deficit, the government has repeatedly argued that the country must adequately prepare itself to recruit and legally integrate foreign workers.
