The Ghana Association of Private Employment Agencies (GHAPEA) says 500 Ghanaian citizens are stranded in Dubai because of the activities of illegal recruitment firms.
Minister of Information, Mustapha Hamid, recently indicated that about 500 Ghanaians in Dubai were awaiting deportation by the authorities of that country.
But GHAPEA, in a statement issued and signed by its chairman, Alhaji Saed Shereef, said “it was horrifying and nerve-racking to hear that as many as 500 of our young able bodied citizens are stranded in Dubai awaiting deportation.”
It added that “as the Minister rightly pointed out, the activities of illegal recruitment agencies and tour operators have resulted in this totally disgraceful situation.”
“Every GHAPEA member is a fully registered and licensed recruitment agency, and we recruit employees straight to end employer companies in the gulf. Never in the history of GHAPEA has its sponsored employee been repatriated or deported,” it declared.
“Most unfortunately since the ban was placed on our activities, almost all of us are out of business, daily lobbying and putting pressure on the Ministry of Labor and Employment to lift the ban,” according to the statement.
“In the meantime, unlicensed recruitment agencies have a field day, doing business under the table, through tourist visas and causing so much embarrassment and total chaos.”
“We have said it before and we shall repeat that the foreign labour export market is so demanding that the best solution is not to place a ban but to ensure that the law works to allow only licensed recruitment agencies do business.
“We praise government for the courage in coming out to tell it as it is, but we urge government to lift the ban without any further delay so that the menace can be controlled.”
It said, “For as long as the ban remains in force, underhand dealings will continue. It’s like pouring water into a basket. GHAPEA is solidly behind the government for promoting legitimate business.”
By Melvin Tarlue