Report on qualitative analysis of the newspaper “Makler”
The phenomenon of human trafficking is unprecedented by the extent to which it has been spread and its consequences on the society. With a complex and organized structure at the transnational level, this phenomenon in a continuous evolution and requires a detailed analysis and a rational assessment. Considering its flexibility and new trends, it is necessary to analyze and evaluate existent materials that could serve as a relevant informational support.
On these grounds we decided to prepare a qualitative report regarding a specific category of advertisements published in the commercial and advertising newspaper “Makler”.
The qualitative analysis of the announcements placed in the newspaper (including ads) covers the period of January – June 2008. The analysis was conducted on a monthly basis; namely, we analyzed the issue published in the middle of the month, as it was proved to be the most voluminous issue containing the largest number of ads. Thus, 6 issues of the newspaper “Makler” have been analyzed, totaling 1,198 ads on various topics, namely: tourism, job offer, documents arrangements, marriage offers, emigration, studies, etc.
Observation and Analysis methods have been applied to the research. These methods have been used to identify the evolution and changes that appear in the subject of offers. As the result of the analysis of the newspaper contents, it came out that the quantity and diversity of offers is increasing and changing. This fact happens due to the increased demand, namely, constantly increasing population’s tendency to leave abroad (it was a comparative analysis covering the period July – December 2007).
General Information
The newspaper “Makler” is considered to be an unprecedented source with scheming and provocative ads (at least with regard to travel abroad). In essence, all these advertisements promise persons who are looking for a more decent life, a fabulous life, a chance to get economical stability, a decent salary and liberty of actions. People tend to accept these offers being enthusiastic about future “prospect”, and refuse to learn more about the information contained in the ads, and other aspects that are missing in the ads, but which are definitely useful to a potential migrant. It is a fact that each advertisement is addressed to a specific category of persons, depending on the age and gender. With regard to job offers, we would like to specify that this type of ads clearly state the age, gender, and respectively, some additional requirements depending on the specialization.
Advertisements promoting job placement in a foreign country are characterized by their diversity with regard to categorization. The categorization gets narrower in the advertisements containing offers with regard to marriage and studies.
Further on, we will try to analyze advertisements that are identified to be the most demanded among the population of our republic.
On the whole, ads published in the newspaper “Makler” can be divided into the following categories (in percentage decrease):
Job offer abroad – 441 ads, which is 38% of all offers. This type of offers is the most numerous, and it is continuously increasing and getting more diverse. In the past, the ads used to promote unqualified work, but at present, the newspaper, more often, contains job offers for people with specific qualification, in different countries, and various fields. Job offers also can be qualified according to several types, namely:
- Offers focused on age and gender categories: offer to work as dancers in night clubs in the most exotic countries in the world (Thailand, Tunis, Japan, etc.); these ads are addressed to young ladies who are looking for a job or want to leave from Moldova in order to earn big money. Most people calling the Hot Line are interested in finding out: “What is the risk to be trafficked through such a company or such an offer?”. Respectively, the Hot Line consultants will offer all information that a person should know when planning to leave abroad, irrespective of the purpose of travel.
- Job offers with specialization: these are offers that state exactly what kind of specialists they need (turner, carpenter, driver, seamstress, baby-sitter, etc.). It has been noticed that many ads, published during the period of January – June, are advertising job offers for ophthalmologists, dentists in countries like United Arab Emirates, Italy. People interested in these offers decided to call the Hot Line to get more detailed information on the subject in order to avoid some eventual risks. All callers that refer to this category can get useful information regarding legally traveling abroad.
Remark
Countries that permanently need workers in particular fields and spheres can also be divided into specific categories. For example, Russia needs specialists in construction (this type of ads is the most common, taking into account that Russia is a visa-free country and it is easy to get to for Moldovan citizens). This fact has been confirmed by the phone calls received at the Hot Line.
Specialists in food industry are more often needed in Poland, Czech Republic, and Great Britain. Ads offering jobs taking care of elderly people are most often referring to Israel. Young ladies for work in recreation sphere (dancing, modeling) are needed mostly in Romania, Tunis, Thailand.
Offers for tourism abroad – 388 ads, constituting 32% of the total number of advertisements. This type of ads is on the second place in advertising hierarchy with offers to travel abroad, and is characterized by being placed in the newspaper over the whole analyzed period. At the same time, it was observed that the number of this type of ads is increasing over vacation period, mostly during winter holidays (December – January) and summer holidays (May – August).
Offers on visa/documents arrangements – 123 ads, making up 10% of the total number of advertisements. These ads are offering a large range of services regarding documents arrangements for potential migrants. As the procedure for making documents arrangements for travel to a particular country, especially to EU, is long-lasting and burdensome, people decide not to deal directly with official institutions; moreover, most of ads mention that they provide high quality services in a short period of time.
A separate category of ads is related to marriage offers that are also, frequently, met in the newspaper “Makler” – 55 ads or 6% of the total number of ads analyzed. Most often, this kind of offers are suggested by foreign citizens, who want to get acquainted with young ladies from Moldova for a potential serious relationship (sometimes they even mentioned for marriage). These ads include requirements that a potential candidate has to meet. It was noticed that the most interested in marriage with Moldovan ladies are citizens of Italy and Japan.
Offers for studies abroad or Au-pair program – 46 ads or 5% of the total number. These ads are aimed to young people. Offers for study abroad seem to be of a great advantage for young people, who see this as an opportunity for affirmation and realization of self. It is important to mention that offers for traveling abroad via Au-pair system could be risky. This program doesn’t have legal security in our country, thus, there is a risk that the rights of Moldovan citizens traveling abroad via Au-pair program could be infringed.
The least amount of ads that are published refer to offers regarding emigration and possibility to acquire citizenship of another country – 40 ads or 4% of the total number of offers. These ads offer emigration and residence in a country open to the emigrants. At the same time, it was noticed that some offers come from host-country citizens, thus, making it obvious that there is a profitable private business, but with risky conditions and realities for beneficiaries.
If the offer seems to be dubious to you or if you need additional information on the subject, contact Hot Line 0 800 77777 (toll free from the Republic of Moldova) or + 373 22 23 33 09 (international call).
