Stating that the Commission had received 268 complaints so far this year, Ms. Thomas urged the public to remain vigilant against recruitment scams. She was addressing the media in connection with an adalat held at the Collectorate conference hall here. Nearly 75 complaints were considered during the adalat, according to the Commission.
“Most of the complaints taken up were about cheating in visa recruitment. Job-seekers should be careful to choose job opportunities only through recruiting agencies recognised by NORKA (Non-Resident Keralites’ Affairs),” she said.
Ms. Thomas said that often investigators probing such scams end up tracing only the middlemen, while the real culprits manage to escape.
The Commission also pointed out the financial difficulties faced by many families as they come under pressure to send their children abroad for higher studies without examining whether the universities the children opt for are authentic. “Many youths are returning and facing uncertainty over the debts incurred for their travel and studies,” she said, stressing that students should go abroad for higher studies only through proper means and select recognised varsities.
The Commission also warned against fake agencies and unauthorised legal advisory institutions that exploit the kin of expatriates who die or meet with accidents abroad in the name of helping them get the compensation they are entitled to.
Relatives of victims seeking compensation should seek the help only of lawyers recognised by the Embassies, according to the Commission.
The Commission noted that civil or criminal complaints relating to expatriates, their relatives or victims of visa fraud can be submitted from anywhere in the world through its website (www.nricommission.kerala.gov.in). Keralites working in other parts of the country can also seek the Commission’s help.
Commission members P.M. Jabir, Mathews K. Lukose and M.M. Naeem, and member secretary Jayaram Kumar R. attended.