While responding to job fair advertisements, the labor ministry advises caution.
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Flyers promoting job fairs for possibilities abroad have been spreading on social media, according to the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.
The ministry noted in a release that “we are also aware that many citizens have replied to these adverts and paid payments, only to find that the individuals are operating illegally.”
It is advising the public to check the list of employment agencies authorized to operate in Jamaica on the ministry’s website at www.mlss.gov.jm before accepting job offers.
The Employment Agencies Unit of the ministry can be reached by phone at 876-676-5806 or by email at employmentagenciesunit.ja@mlss.gov.jm, according to the ministry.
The government announced that it has set up a hotline at 876-553-5457 to enable WhatsApp reports. Those who think they have been taken advantage of are urged to get in touch with the ministry right away and report the incident to the fraud squad of the Jamaica Police Force.
According to the Employment Agencies Act, “Any individual or company wanting to engage in the recruitment of workers in Jamaica, for placement in jobs, locally or abroad, is obliged to get a license from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, which is renewable annually.”
Additionally, it stated that anyone discovered to be operating in violation might face a $1 million fine and/or up to 12 months in jail upon conviction.
The ministry has a zero-tolerance policy toward employment scams and illegal operators, therefore anybody or anything operating without a valid license is asked to stop and should take immediate action to legalize their operations.
