THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Recruitment agencies will no longer be able to exploit job-seekers by charging exorbitant amounts for jobs abroad. The Centre has warned the agencies against taking any amount beyond the permissible service charge of Rs 20,000 from the candidates.
According to a recent directive of the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, any charges above Rs 20,000 should be borne by the foreign employer. The recruiting agencies’ licences will be cancelled if they overcharge.
“Even for low-income job categories, most of the recruiting agencies are charging lakhs of rupees. The candidates never complain and meet the agencies’ demands,” an MOIA official told DC.
The MOIA directive barred the foreign employer from recovering any expenses from the emigrants.
The centre has already decided to streamline all future overseas recruitments through the government’s e-Migrate portal by August.
Fresh norms were also imposed on nursing jobs. There is no change in the earlier directive to the three government agencies not to collect any fees for nursing recruitment.
Emigration sources said that the fresh restrictions could affect the job opportunities.
“Many foreign employers won’t be willing to bear the expenses on recruitment and hence they may opt for recruitment from other countries,” said a recruiting agent in the city.
