Real Radiantal International, a Kathmandu-based foreign employment company, which recently announced a vacancy for 300 different posts in Qatar Airways under free visa, has been found asking money from perspective migrant workers.

Santosh Dhakal, who applied considering free visa, said Real Radiantal asked him Rs 150,000. “They called me to SR Catering and Party Palace near Gopi Krishna cinema hall, Chabahil, and took my interview. Later, taking to another room, they told me they would fix my job only if I pay Rs 150,000,” said Dhakal, adding that the interviewer told him that ‘no one can get job in Qatar airways for free’. In its advertisement, the company had mentioned SR Catering as its contact office.

Few days ago, the Department of Foreign Employment issued a public notice, urging perspective workers not to pay extra money. Director general of the department, Purna Chandra Bhattrai, said they issued the notice after hearing rumours that foreign employment companies were charging extra money to prospective overseas workers.

“We have come across similar ‘manœuvring’ earlier as well. The notice was published to make the general public aware,” said Purna Chandra Bhattrai. A source familiar with the matter said some middlemen were raising money without the knowledge of Doha-based Qatar Airways management. “We have learned that a person who came from Qatar is raising the amount while fixing the job,” said the source.

The source added promoters of Real Radiantal were investigating the case and claimed the middlemen were taking Rs 50,000 in advance for recruitment. The department has been minutely examining such malpractices.

“We want to make sure that workers go in good job with good salary. When a company claims that the visa is free, it should not be otherwise,” said Bhattrai. Several reports of the Ministry of Labour and Employment show that most of the workers are forced to pay additional amount even when the employer manages free visa and tickets.

Published on: 2 November 2012 | The Kathmandu Post