Job seekers cautioned about scams

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Pearnel Charles Jr, is again urging individuals seeking legitimate employment overseas to use official channels in order to protect themselves from fraudulent schemes and potential exploitation.

"It is very important, as we have a lot of scamming. You have many individuals that try to mimic the ministry, and some of them even [post] my image and give persons the impression that we are recruiting through Tik Tok [and] Instagram," he told JIS News. Charles reaffirmed that there are no registration or placement fees associated with the ministry's Overseas Employment Programme. He noted that there are private entities that do have a licence from the ministry to take persons from Jamaica to overseas.

"But when it comes on to our agricultural programme, it is only the ministry that has that authority," he stated.

"Once you have someone asking you to make a payment other than the visa fee, which would mean you have gone through all of the process and just have to pay for your visa, then you know you are dealing with someone who is not authorised by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security," he added.