Punjabi emigre group wants placement, travel agents vetted

The North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) Tuesday sought scrutiny of advertisements published by travel agents in India for jobs in foreign countries.

NAPA executive director Satnam Singh Chahal said that such scrutiny was essential to check whether the agent has valid authorisation to advertise the employment opportunities or skills and whether these were still valid in that country.

"Such scrutiny should be undertaken by Protector of Emigrants' offices and police separately," NAPA said in a statement.

The statement came in view of the latest incident of over 100 Punjabi youths being detained in a prison in Texas in the US after arrests for illegal immigration and many of them going on hunger strike inside the prison.

"The rampant violation of human rights of irregular migrants in transit and destination countries is a cause of concern and requires action on part of transit and destination countries," NAPA said.

"There is need to create a database which can be helpful in making assessments about irregular migration, network of intermediaries, modus operandi, profile of victims and such other aspects," it said.

Hundreds of youths from Punjab try to migrate to other countries, especially in the West, for better job avenues. Many of them end up in the clutches of illegal immigration and travel agents who charge them between Rs.20 to 50 lakh and dupe them by dumping them in other countries.