SAGAR GHIMIRE

In what appears to be a major crackdown against foul players in the overseas recruitment business, the Department of Foreign Employment (DoFE) has taken action against 44 manpower companies and reprimanded 37 others for flouting the laws while sending Nepali youths for overseas jobs.

The department slapped a fine of Rs 200,000 on Global Alliance Consultancy Services and Rs 100,000 each on 43 other companies after the monitoring and inspection team of DoFE found malpractices in their branch and agents offices.

Badri Kumar Karki, spokesperson of DoFE, said the meeting held on Monday took the decision as those firms were found working against the government laws, regulations and directives.

Mobile teams of DoFE had conducted monitoring of branch offices of different manpower companies in Kaski, Morang, Jhapa and Sunsari in February.

“Most of the companies were found illegally conducting financial transactions from their branch and agent offices,” Karki said, adding, “They were also found unlawfully holding passports of aspirant workers and operating agent offices without seeking permission from the authorities concerned.”

Existing laws bar manpower companies from conducting financial transaction from their branch offices.

The penalized firms couldn´t be contacted for comments.

Earlier in mid-February, DoFE had scrapped license of eight manpower companies after they were found breaching laws while sending Nepali youths to overseas job destinations.

The department had revoked the license of Mahakali Overseas, Galibhent Manpower, Resunga International, Astha International, Worldwide Asian Manpower, Tegent International Recruitment, Opportunity Manpower, and Thanks International.

Karki vowed to continue monitoring and inspection in the coming days as well. “We will take strong action against manpower companies if they continue to flout rules,” he added.

Published on: 26 March 2014 | Republica