Tamil Nadu government warns against fake job offers abroad

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The Non-Resident Tamils ​​Welfare Department has flagged the issue of fake job offers abroad and has warned of strict legal action through the police against agents/agencies in Tamil Nadu who send people abroad for work without registering with the Union Govt. .

Tamils ​​are increasingly migrating to foreign countries for various employment opportunities. They were reportedly sent to Cambodia, Thailand and Myanmar on tourist visas under the pretense of IT jobs and pressured to engage in illegal online activities, the department said in a statement.

Those who refuse are subjected to electric shocks and physical abuse. So far, the Department has rescued 83 Tamils ​​from these places, he said.

It has recently been reported that Indian nationals are being lured for employment through Thailand in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR) – also known as Laos. These fake jobs are for posts such as Sales and Digital Marketing Executive or Customer Support Service from dubious companies involved in call center scams and cryptocurrency scams in the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone in Laos, it said. Department.

Agents in places like Dubai, Bangkok, Singapore and India associated with these firms are recruiting Indian nationals by taking simple interviews and typing test and offering high salaries, hotel bookings along with round trip air tickets and facilitation visas, he added.

Victims are smuggled across the border into Laos from Thailand and held captive to work in the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone in Laos under harsh and restrictive conditions. At times, they are taken hostage by criminal syndicates that indulge in illegal activities and are forced to work in harsh conditions under constant physical and mental torture, the department said.

Visa on arrival in Thailand or Laos does not allow employment and the Lao authorities do not issue work permits to Indian nationals coming to Laos on such visas. It may be noted that the tourist visa will be used for tourist purposes only, it states.

Those convicted of human trafficking crimes are sentenced to up to 18 years in prison in Laos. Therefore, Indian nationals are advised not to be lured and trapped in such fraudulent or exploitative job offers and are requested to exercise extreme caution and verify the antecedents of recruitment agents as well as any company before accepting any job offer in Laos, state government. said.

For any assistance or clarification on job offers in Laos and Cambodia, please contact Indian Mission in Laos: Contact No.+856-2055536568 or email: cons.vientianne@mea.gov.in and Indian Mission in Cambodia: cons. phnompehh@mea .gov.in andvisa.phnompehh@mea.gov.in, it said.

To prevent Indians from falling into these traps and to stay alert to employment scams, it is advisable to thoroughly investigate the recruitment agents and the companies they will be working for before going abroad, the department said.

Indians should travel only with an employment visa and a proper employment contract and before traveling verify the authenticity of the visa through the Indian Embassy in the respective countries and the embassies of those countries in India, he said.

For information on overseas employment and redressal of issues faced by Tamils ​​abroad, contact the toll free numbers of the Commissioner for Welfare of Non-Resident Tamils, Government of Tamil Nadu: 18003093793 (within India) and 8069009901 (for calls from abroad) 89060909 ( Missed call no.)

Additionally, you can contact the Migrant Advocate, Chennai, for assistance at 9042149222, B. Krishnamoorthy, Commissioner, Department of Non-Resident Tamil Welfare, said in a statement.