• Voice of Migrant Network notes that scammers open new illegitimate agencies once previous ones are blacklisted/shutdown 

Activists working for migrant workers expressed concerns that although there are various mechanisms to provide assistance to foreign employment-related issues, especially scams, the general public lacking awareness on how to avail themselves of these forms of assistance is a challenge.

The Voice of Migrant Network organisation’s Executive Director Michael Joachim said that in this context, awareness raising efforts regarding these measures should be strengthened and expanded.

He made these remarks in a context where a special investigation unit consisting of Police officers was recently opened at the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment’s (SLBFE) head office to investigate and address complaints pertaining to foreign employment including scams in the sector.

He told The Daily Morning: “The best thing to do is to raise awareness among migrant societies and empower them. That would make it possible for these mechanisms to function effectively.”

Joachim further expressed concerns about foreign employment agencies that have been blacklisted. He added that the lack of awareness among the general public about blacklisted agencies and frauds in the sector creates a situation where they fall prey to scammers who open new illegitimate agencies after their previous illegitimate agencies are blacklisted or shut down.

Attempts to contact the SLBFE in this regard were not successful.