Revoke ban on recuitment to Gulf regions - Private Employment Agencies plead

Private Employment Agencies recruiting Ghanaians to the Gulf regions to work and school have distanced themselves from activities of illegal agencies who recruit and leave them stranded on arriving in the Gulf.

In a statement signed by their Chairman, Alhaji Saeed Shereef, the Association emphasised they have always engaged in ethical conduct and "never in the history of GHAPEA has any GHAPEA sponsored employee been repatriated or deported".

Information Minister, weeks ago, revealed the distressing situation many Ghanaians are going through after being left stranded in the Gulf region and indicated plans by government are underway to rescue them.

Government subsequently placed a ban on travel agencies recruiting people to work and school there.

However, Ghana Association of Private Employment Agencies (GHAPEA) is pleading with government to consider the ban it placed on their activities insisting that what is needed is strict enforcement of the laws to ensure that illegal agencies are identified and stopped from operating.

"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."

This was contained in a press release signed by its chairman, Alhaji Saeed Shereef.

Below is the full detail of their press statement.

We, the registered fully licensed private recruitment agencies organized under the canopy of the GHANA ASSOCIATION OF PRIVATE EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES (GHAPEA) have learnt with deep shock and extreme surprise the very disturbing news released by the Minister of Information, Mr. Mustapha Hamid

It was horrifying and nerve-rattling to hear that as many as 500 of our young able-bodied citizens have been stranded on the streets of Dubai awaiting deportation

As the Minister rightly pointed out it is the activities of illegal recruitment agencies and tour operators which has 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 any GHAPEA sponsored employee been repatriated or deported.

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 suspension.

In the meantime, unlicensed recruitment agencies are having a field day, doing business under the table, through “tourist visas” causing so much embarrassment and total chaos.

We have said it before and we repeat that the foreign labor export me market is so demanding that the best solution is not to place a ban but to ensure that the law works - that 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.

For as long as the ban remains in force, underhand under the table recruitment will continue, like pouring water into a basket.

GHAPEA is solidly behind the Government for legitimate business promotion.

Alhaji Saeed Shereef (CHAIRMAN)