The Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment (BEOE) has warned people seeking jobs abroad to be careful of trade test centres claiming that they can provide foreign jobs or visas.
The bureau clarified that trade test centres are not recruitment agencies. They do not have legal authority to offer overseas employment or employment visas.
A trade test is normally arranged after the recruitment process has started through a licensed Overseas Employment Promoter (OEP).
Trade test centres can conduct technical tests and provide test results. However, they cannot advertise foreign jobs, claim that they have visas available or guarantee employment.
They also cannot independently send workers abroad or collect unauthorised payments for jobs or visas.
How to check authorisation?
BEOE said advertisements for private sector overseas jobs must be issued through a licensed OEP after approval from the relevant Protector of Emigrants.
An advertisement should include a valid permission or tracking number. Applicants can use this information to verify major details about the job.
These details can include the employer, destination country, job title, number of vacancies, salary and other employment conditions. BEOE’s official procedures also require overseas employment advertisements to include the relevant permission information.
Applicants can also verify the licence status of an OEP and check approved foreign job demands through BEOE before making payments.
BEOE issues warning about passports and payments
BEOE has also advised job seekers to remain careful when providing their passports.
Applicants may show their original passport when identification is required. However, they should not permanently leave their passport with a trade test centre.
People should only pay clearly stated and verifiable official charges. They should also obtain a proper receipt for every payment.
Applicants have been warned against sending money to personal bank accounts or mobile wallets when someone demands payment for a foreign job or visa.
BEOE advised people to immediately report trade test centres that demand money in the name of overseas employment or visas to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).