Bogus foreign job agency busted

Rasika SOMARATHNA

Sleuths of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) busted a Foreign Manpower Recruitment Agency in Maradana yesterday, which had cheated over Rs. 10 million from over 30 unsuspecting job seekers abroad.

In addition, two other rogue recruiters who posed off as foreign educational consultants too were nabbed in Kurunegala, SLBFE Chairman Kingsly Ranawaka said.

According to sources, the Maradana agent had collected Rs.450,000 each from over 30 labour migrant hopefuls, with lucrative opportunities in Singapore.

The SLBFE said yesterday that they had seized over 60 passports and several forged documents, related to the false recruitment drive, which had not been sanctioned by the bureau.

The SLBFE Chairman yesterday warned all job seekers in foreign countries to be vigilant and confirm their source before committing themselves.

He added that anybody who seeks the help of a private agent to secure employment abroad had the right to clarify whether they had valid authority to operate as a recruitment agent and also whether the relevant contract had been sanctioned by authorities.

The SLBFE in recent times even initiated a rewards scheme for any information which would lead to the arrest of such manipulators, in the face of an increase of such cases in recent times.

SLBFE sleuths brought to book around 400 rogue recruiters last year.

The public are advised to call the SLBFE hot line 011-2880500 for any clarification or to submit complains. The Chairman yesterday said that any complainant also had the opportunity meet him or other high ranking officers.