In a bid to curb the nefarious activities of individuals exploiting hopeful job seekers under the guise of offering foreign employment opportunities, the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) has received a stern directive from Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment, Manusha Nanayakkara. This directive, issued on Wednesday (April 24), signifies a decisive step towards upholding the integrity of the foreign employment sector and protecting the rights of prospective migrant workers.
According to a statement released by the Foreign Employment Ministry, Minister Nanayakkara has tasked officials of the SLBFE’s investigation department with the enforcement of existing laws against those engaged in fraudulent practices related to collecting money under false pretenses of facilitating overseas employment. This includes taking stringent measures to prevent such deceptive activities and ensuring thorough investigations into any reported incidents of illegal money collection.
The catalyst for this action appears to be recent complaints received by the ministry, notably an alarming incident involving a Police Sergeant and a Buddhist monk allegedly duping individuals near Anuradhapura by falsely promising foreign job placements in exchange for monetary payments. Minister Nanayakkara has urged victims of such scams to come forward and lodge complaints with the SLBFE’s complaint section, thereby initiating legal proceedings against the perpetrators.
It is imperative to underscore that licensed foreign employment agencies are the sole entities authorized to handle financial transactions pertaining to foreign employment opportunities. Minister Nanayakkara has assured the public that stringent action will be taken against any individuals found culpable of exploiting unsuspecting individuals through fraudulent means.
In a candid address, Minister Nanayakkara shed light on the prevalent nature of these fraudulent schemes, emphasizing the daily influx of complaints received by the ministry regarding illicit money collection under the pretext of offering foreign employment opportunities. The gravity of the situation is further highlighted by reports of an Israeli job scam allegedly orchestrated in collusion with a Buddhist temple in Anuradhapura, where hundreds of individuals were purportedly misled into parting with their money.
The minister’s call to action is clear and unequivocal. He urges anyone who has fallen victim to such scams or has pertinent information to step forward and lodge formal complaints with the SLBFE. Time is of the essence in combating these fraudulent activities, and the cooperation of the public is paramount in ensuring swift and effective legal action against the perpetrators.
In conclusion, the Ministry’s proactive stance against fraudulent foreign employment schemes underscores its commitment to safeguarding the rights and interests of Sri Lankan migrant workers. Through concerted efforts and vigilant oversight, the government aims to restore trust and integrity to the foreign employment sector while holding accountable those who seek to exploit the aspirations of vulnerable individuals for personal gain.
