Tricksters after Libyan job seekers

Rasika SOMARATHNA

Authorities said on Thursday that they had received a large number of complaints from duped migrant worker hopefuls, who had paid monies to rogue recruiters to secure lucrative employment opportunities in Libya.

Thus, officials said these hawks who earn mega bucks by duping migrant worker hopefuls, has not spared any time in directing their focus on Libyan job opportunities( latest destination for Lankan foreign employment seekers ).

Libya – considered as an awakening African economic power, recently decided to open its doors for Lankan migrant workers(after being impressed by available local talent\expertise), mainly in the fields of health, construction and tourism to supplement its specialised manpower needs.

However according to Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment Chairman Kingsly Ranawaka, the employment offers although has been finalised are still in their formative stage.

According to him, discussions are on with Libyan officials to map out a mechanism on recruitment employment process and the authorities have not given approval to go ahead with the recruitment drive.

However, contrary to this, various rogue recruiters have found to be exploiting the situation by collecting money from migrant worker hopefuls, with the promise of early jobs in Libya.

Thus the number of cases reported in recent times, with victims claiming that they have been cheated by individuals and organisations, obtaining money in return of lucrative employment opportunities abroad, has been on the rise.

The SLBFE said recently that their sleuths had nabbed more than 90 such rogue recruiters during the first six months of this year alone.

In the wake of the latest ruse, the SLBFE Chairman yesterday made an open appeal to all migrant worker hopefuls, to validate their source of employment before committing themselves.

He said that the prospective migrant workers could either approach the head office of SLBFE or regional office directly or could obtain relevant details through Bureau hot line 011-2880500 or by visiting web site www.slbfe.lk.