MBABANE:EmaSwati might soon be required to have travel insurance before obtaining an international passport as Government identifies a revenue collection opportunity amid economic migration caused by scarcity of jobs and business opportunities.
Economic migration is the movement of people from one country to another primarily to seek better economic opportunities, such as higher wages,better employment prospects, or a higher standard of living.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo said Government will no-longer assist emaSwati facing emergencies abroad.
“Due to financial constraints, the Government of Eswatini cannot guarantee financial assistance to citizens facing emergencies abroad”, he said when emphasizing the importance of having travel insurance.
But sources within Government told this Swaziland News that, the press statement was systemically meant to introduce travel insurance as a requirement for obtaining an international passport in the future.
“This was discussed some weeks ago because as more emaSwati leave the country, Government is also losing revenue including taxes. So this travel insurance will force emaSwati to pay while working abroad so that, should they face difficulties, the insurance company will facilitate not Government,” said the source.
Government has been introducing new requirements that will make it difficult for citizens to migrate to other countries amid scarcity of jobs and, the latest introduction of Travel Insurance is allegedly meant to at least generate revenue for the State.
The eSwatini Government is a shareholder at the Eswatini Royal Insurance Corporation(ERIC) and the King also owns Tibiyo Insurance Brokers.
Government Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo.