SRINAGAR: Mian Altaf, a National Conference Member of Parliament from Jammu and Kashmir, raised a pressing concern during a parliamentary session on Friday about the increasing menace of fake recruitment agencies preying on innocent job seekers.
Speaking passionately in Parliament, Altaf highlighted how these fraudulent agencies exploit the aspirations of young men and women desperate to secure a brighter future, particularly through opportunities abroad. These agencies, he explained, often demand hefty upfront payments from their victims, only to disappear once the money is received, leaving job seekers in despair and financial hardship.
“These agencies exploit the dreams of young men and women who are desperate to secure a better future abroad. They promise lucrative jobs in foreign countries, but once they collect the money, they disappear. This is a growing menace that needs immediate attention,” Altaf said. He called for robust government intervention, urging authorities to take stringent measures to curb such practices and protect vulnerable citizens from falling prey to these scams.
In response to Altaf’s remarks, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar assured Parliament that the government is fully cognizant of the issue and has already implemented measures to address it. He informed the House that the Ministry of External Affairs maintains an official portal, the eMigrate platform, which provides a comprehensive list of licensed and verified recruitment agencies. Dr Jaishankar emphasised the importance of this portal, urging job seekers to consult it to ensure they are engaging with legitimate entities.
“We are committed to protecting the interests of our citizens. The government has taken steps to increase awareness and ensure that only licensed agencies are allowed to operate. A comprehensive list of registered agencies is available on our portal, and I encourage everyone to use it before making any decisions related to foreign employment,” Jaishankar stated.
Jaishankar further explained that the government works in close coordination with law enforcement agencies to identify and act against illegal recruiters. Awareness campaigns are also being conducted to educate the public about the dangers posed by these fake agencies. Additionally, the Ministry of External Affairs has set up mechanisms to address complaints against registered agencies, including the issuance of show-cause notices and suspension or cancellation of registration certificates for violators.
In a separate session, the Lok Sabha deliberated on the broader issue of monitoring and regulating recruitment agencies, with the Minister of External Affairs providing detailed insights into the government’s efforts. As of December 2024, 2,164 recruitment agencies have been registered under the eMigrate portal, including 35 in Andhra Pradesh, 308 in Kerala, and 637 in Maharashtra And five in Jammuand Kashmir. The Ministry ensures compliance with the Emigration Act, 1983, which mandates that no agency can operate without a valid registration certificate. Complaints against registered agencies are addressed through a structured process involving show-cause notices and potential suspension of operations if violations are confirmed.
Dr Jaishankar also outlined how the government enforces protections for Indian workers, particularly in Emigration Check Required (ECR) countries such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE. These countries often mandate employers to cover expenses like visa sponsorship, medical insurance, and flight tickets. To prevent exploitation, the government has introduced safeguards, including setting minimum referral wages and regulating service charges levied by recruitment agencies.
The issue of fake recruitment agencies remains a serious challenge, particularly as young job seekers from Jammu and Kashmir and across India become increasingly vulnerable to such fraud. Mian Altaf’s call for urgent action underscores the need for a coordinated effort to protect citizens from exploitation and ensure legitimate employment opportunities both domestically and abroad.