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Over five complaints daily regarding fake foreign job agencies 

14 Jun 2022

  • SLBFE advises potential migrant workers to get receipts and refrain from upfront payments
  • Requests public to contact ‘1989’ to ascertain legality first  
BY Dinitha Rathnayake  The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) receives more than five complaints on a daily basis, related to fraudulent overseas job recruitment agencies. Speaking to The Morning, SLBFE Deputy General Manager Mangala Randeniya said that certain persons are also involved in this racket as a business, on a personal level. “People are so excited to go to any country these days but we can see that these fake agencies have made this a good opportunity. Some people have spent money on them in the six-digit range, without any receipts. Most of these agencies are unregistered, unlike those registered under the SLBFE, which can provide employment opportunities,” he said.  “Therefore, if someone promises employment opportunities, check whether the relevant agency is registered with the SLBFE, and obtain a voice recording and contact details, including telephone numbers, pertaining to any payments you intend to make. You can always obtain directions from the SLBFE to ascertain whether these agencies are legal or not,” he added. Randeniya also urged citizens to not pay money to such parties on the first instance itself. “People have the opportunity before making any payment to know about these fake agencies by calling the number ‘1989’, which operates on a 24-hour basis, to first see if these agencies have the approval to send one to these countries. Approved agencies can provide employment opportunities in various fields, such as the hotel industry and housekeeping services industry, but before that, contact an agency that provides you a service under Sri Lankan law,” Randeniya said.


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