The Indian government has taken significant steps to protect overseas job seekers from exploitation and overcharging by unregistered recruitment agents. According to a press release from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) dated December 14, unregistered agents have been found to impose excessive fees ranging from Rs 2 to 5 lakhs on unsuspecting job seekers.
The MEA has also highlighted the issue of fake job offers and the deceptive tactics used by these unregistered agents, especially in East European countries, some Gulf countries, Central Asian countries, Israel, Canada, Myanmar, and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. In response to these concerns, the government has set clear limits on fees for legitimate overseas recruitment agents, specifying that they cannot charge service fees beyond Rs 30,000 plus GST (18%) from potential emigrants.
To combat this exploitation, job seekers have been advised to only choose registered Recruiting Agents (RAs) who visibly show their licence numbers in offices and advertisements, including newspapers and social media. The government has also emphasized the importance of recognising legitimate overseas job offers, which should come with a signed employment contract involving the foreign employer, recruitment agent, and the emigrant worker, detailing the job’s terms, salary, and benefits.
Overall, the government’s efforts aim to establish clear guidelines and restrictions, creating a safer and more transparent environment for those looking for job opportunities overseas. It is important for job seekers to be aware of these precautions when pursuing employment opportunities abroad. As a result, the Indian government continues to work towards safeguarding the rights and interests of its citizens seeking work overseas.
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