Licences of 91 recruitment agents cancelled: Ravi

Government has cancelled licences of 91 recruiting agents in the last three years as they were found to be engaged in illegal activities while sending people abroad for employment.
"We have cancelled licences of 29 agents in 2010, 44 in 2011 and 18 in 2012," Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA) Vayalar Ravi told the Lok Sabha during Question Hour.
He said the MOIA received 267 complaints against recruiting agents in 2012, 212 complaints in 2011 and 145 in 2010.
He said when complaints are received by the ministry a showcause notice is issued to the agents and if the reply given is not satisfactory they are given a chance to improve.

The licences of agents are cancelled if they fail to make any change in their conduct, he said.
Ravi said the matters are referred to the respective state governments for prosecution of the errant agents.

He said the Protector of Emigrants have been asked to exercise abundant caution while granting emigration clearance, taking into account the extant instructions of the ministry.
"Emigration in respect of women, vulnerable categories are granted only on embassy-attested documents," Ravi said.
The Minister said women seeking employment in foreign countries as maids should have a minimum age of 30 years, wage should be fixed at a minimum of USD 215, the employers should give a security deposit of USD 2,500 and the employer should give a mobile phone to them to enable them to contact Indian missions when in distress.