Josie Hannett & Alex Bish from BBC South East Investigations Team shed light on the story of an Albanian national, simply identified as Gzim, who made the journey to the UK illegally and found himself in dire circumstances working on a cannabis farm. Gzim was one of over 12,600 Albanians who undertook the perilous journey to the UK through the English Channel in 2022, which was considered the peak year for such migrant crossings.
The numbers, however, dwindled drastically to just 616 individuals in the following year, credited to a joint effort by the UK and Albanian governments. Despite the decline, stories like Gzim’s compel the UK government to reignite a social media campaign aimed at cautioning Albanians against entering the UK illegally due to potential hardships they may face.
Gzim’s narrative reveals how he utilized TikTok to locate a smuggler who facilitated his passage to England. Subsequently, he found himself embroiled in unsettling circumstances, including laboring on a cannabis farm, not receiving compensation after a break-in, and struggling to make ends meet in a construction job. Eventually, after five months of hardship, Gzim made the difficult decision to return to Albania.
Balancing the equation are social media campaigns highlighting migrants’ ordeals upon entering the UK clandestinely and an ongoing effort to reduce illegal migration through a cooperation agreement between the UK and Albania. The National Crime Agency credits various factors for the decline in small boat crossings, emphasizing law enforcement tactics, deportations, reduced demand for UK travel, and possible shifts to alternative migration methods.
Reflecting on the exodus of Albanians seeking economic opportunities abroad, Balkans expert Andi Hoxhaj estimated that around 40% of the population left primarily for financial prospects. Lavdrim Krashi, an MP in Albania’s ruling Socialist Party, underscored how social media enticed individuals with unfounded promises of prosperity in the UK, leading to misconceptions about financial security. Such realities underscore the importance of continued efforts to dissuade illegal migration and enhance economic prospects within Albania
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