UAE | Employment

UAE, Pakistan join hands to fight recruiting fraud

Islamabad cancels licences of unscrupulous employment agents.

  • By Ashfaq Ahmed, Chief Reporter
  • Published: 23:13 May 29, 2009
  • Gulf News

Dubai: The Pakistan government, in cooperation with the UAE government, has taken stringent measures to battle recruiting fraud in order to regulate the job market, an official said.

"We have taken strict action against unscrupulous recruitment agents and have also cancelled [the] licences of many of them after receiving complaints of 'cheating' and 'fraud' from the UAE and other Gulf companies," said Syed Khursheed Ahmad Shah, Pakistan's Federal Minister for Labour and Manpower.

Speaking to Gulf News on the sidelines of a function at the Pakistan Association in Dubai on Thursday, Shah said that serious complaints were lodged by companies.

These companies said they had been cheated by recruitment agents who sent unqualified and unskilled labourers after taking huge amounts money from them.

"We have instructed our missions abroad to report such incidents. Also, I would advise people to inform the mission... in case they face any issues related to their jobs or if they are cheated by agents or the recruiting companies," he said.

Shah said that his ministry would set up more vocational training institutes to provide courses for workers before sending them abroad for jobs.

"We are also working on big plans to transform the education system. We will introduce compulsory vocational training after Grade Eight ensuring that every child completing school must have some sort of skill to earn [a] living," he added.

On Pakistanis going back home due to the economic downturn, Shah said that they were working on a rehabilitation programme to help them get jobs suiting their skills.

"Those going back must send their details to the ministry of labour and manpower," he added.

He said that there no exact figures on people returning from Gulf states.

"But I know that more people are still coming to the UAE and other Gulf countries from Pakistan."

Earlier, Shah had informed the gathering about the political situation in Pakistan.

He explained the government's stance against terrorism and the reasons behind the military operation in Malakand division including Swat valley, which has left more than 2.5 million people homeless.

"We are fighting the war for our survival and we have to win to save our country," he said.

He acknowledged that Pakistanis were living in fear as they had stopped attending weddings, funerals and even mosques for fear of bomb attacks or other terrorist activities.

"We are going to wipe out Taliban militants, but our main concern is the Internally Displaced People (IDPs) who are in dire need of relief aid. All of you have to join hands to help them because the government alone can't provide everything," he said.

Shah, along with Khursheed Ahmad Junejo, Pakistan's ambassador; Dr Saeed Mahmoud, Consul General; Riaz Farooq Sahi, president of the Pakistan Association and a number of other community members also visited the relief camp at the association.


Your comments


Long live Pakistan. Long Live UAE. I am glad to read this. Once the system is good and prodcues good and skilled people. That would bring honour to both UAE and Pakistan.
Sher Azam Khan
Al Ain,UAE
Posted: May 30, 2009, 17:40

Pakistan study standards are not low, the people who are under metric obviously need some training but after doing intermediate no need for any training course.
Shahid
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 30, 2009, 16:45

Even, few agents are taking money from jobless people on visit visa. Asking money for regisration promising jobs and later day collecting money without any results. The authorities should also take action against them. I appreciate UAE
Zaheer
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 30, 2009, 14:32

we always pray to God for the survival of pakistan. its very necessary to provide vocational training to student
Akhtara Ali
Subai,UAE
Posted: May 30, 2009, 14:19

I love my country Pakistan. Thanks Gulf News!
Wasim Butt
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 30, 2009, 13:01

its very good that govt of pakistan are giving their attention to such matters and taking action against Recuritment agancies.
Raja Durrak Shazad
Islamabad,Pakistan
Posted: May 30, 2009, 12:59

Even though this step should be take a decade ago, it's good to see Pakistan taking the step. Being a Bangladeshi, I know a lot of people coming from my country are being cheated. Paying around Dh.10,000 to the agent to reach here for a job worth of Dh. 600. The irony is that most of them don't get job either. Bangladesh Government should also take a strong action to these unscrupulous agents and employer.
Raihan Chowdhury
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: May 30, 2009, 12:40

Long live Pakistan. I love Pakistan.
Rizwan
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: May 30, 2009, 11:10

It would be a very good move if the government of Pakistan would provide vocational training in schools.
Mohammad Shafique
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 30, 2009, 09:47

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