Crackdown on illegal recruitment agencies

Police close down firm that offered overseas education consultancy service

Noticing an increase in the number of complaints related to the illegal overseas recruitment made by unauthorised recruitment agents, the police have started a checking drive in the district to verify the registration details of suspicious firms and recruitments they have made without following the guidelines of the Protector General of Emigrants (PGE). As part of the drive, one such firm that offered overseas education consultancy service and emigration support in the city was sealed by the Town Police here on Saturday.

The police say the recruiting agency was involved in the ‘illegal emigration’ of several candidates to various foreign countries for higher education and job without proper licence or registration from the PGE. Some of the incriminating documents proving the illegal recruitments made by the firm have been seized from its office, they add. Police sources say recruiting agents are legally bound to deposit a bank guarantee and registration fee under the Emigration Act for lawful operation, but many illegal players don’t follow this for financial gains. Also, a few ignore the mandatory renewal of registration and continue with the business as usual, the police say.

10 arrested

So far, around 10 persons have been arrested in Kozhikode district alone in connection with illegal recruitment cases. Investigation is still under way against some of the already closed down firms on the basis of complaints from duped job aspirants. The Nadakkavu police alone have tracked three such major cases in which illegal recruiters ‘shortlisted’ candidates to fill various vacancies in Mumbai and Delhi airports after collecting money.

A. Umesh, Station House Officer of the Town Police Station, says some education consultancies were also suspected of conducting illegal overseas recruitment. “We are in the process of checking licence and registration details of all such suspected firms. All educational consultancies that secretly operate the recruiting business will be exposed during the drive,” he told The Hindu .