THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The lapses on the part of NORKA-Roots in obtaining 'Wakala' authorisation slip from Saudi Arabian authorities has led to its exclusion from the list of 13 agencies empanelled for nurses' recruitment to that country, it is learnt.
As per norms, recruitments to Saudi Arabia could be done only by agencies having Wakala issued by that government. The state government agency Overseas Development and Employment Promotion Consultants and Tamil Nadu government's Overseas Manpower Corporation, which have Wakala, have been included among the 13 agencies.
While NORKA minister K. C. Joseph maintained that NORKA-Roots did not apply for Wakala as it was into welfare activities, sources said that the centre had empanelled it for recruitments nearly a year ago. "There is no point in expressing concerns over being neglected, as NORKA-Roots should have taken Wakala in advance," said an emigration official.
NORKA-Roots consultant (recruitment) Mr. B. Vivek said that the agency had initiated steps to obtain Wakala. "We would submit the application for Wakala in Saudi consulate next week and hope to get it soon," he said.
It’s learnt that though the agency has already conducted the selection process for nearly 400 nurses in Saudi Arabia, emigration clearance was denied as it did not have Wakala.
The centre had permitted 11 private agencies also to make recruitments to Saudi Arabia considering a request of its ministry of health. However, the centre prescribed strict conditions, including that no recruitment fee should be collected from the candidates.
