License to recruit

License to recruit

Unlicensed representatives of foreign manpower agencies are
apparently hard at work bringing workers into the country. These
unauthorized middlemen are said to be responsible for duping many
immigrants about the work available, leaving new arrivals
jobless, or forced into jobs different from what was promised.

The unbridled manner in which they seem to be operating in
this country calls attention once again to the root of a long-
standing problem in the recruitment of foreign labor -- poor
monitoring of the hiring process and unsatisfactory execution of
the immigration and employment laws.

At the heart of the matter is the failure of the authorities
to monitor the recruitment practices.

What is needed, therefore, are clear guidelines for agencies
and effective mechanisms in regulating their operations, as well
as decisive action against those who abuse the rights of foreign
workers and violate the rules and regulations.
-- New Straits Times, Kuala Lumpur