The Ministry of Labour and Social Security is urging citizens to visit its website to find valid employment opportunities amid reports of fake job fairs for overseas opportunities.

It was reported that on Tuesday (February 21) hundreds of jobseekers turned up to the Girl Guides headquarters in St Andrew to register for a ‘Canadian job fair’. They later received word that there was no job fair scheduled at the premises and the flyer they saw in circulation was allegedly fraudulent.

“We are also aware [that] numerous persons have responded to these advertisements and paid fees, only to realise that the individuals are operating illegally,” said the ministry in a release.

Members of the public are being urged to visit the ministry’s website at www.mlss.gov.jm to confirm the list of employment agencies licensed to operate in Jamaica before engaging with employment offers. Persons can also contact their employment agencies unit at 876-676-5806 or via email at [email protected] for information.

“Any individual or entity intending to engage in the recruitment of workers in Jamaica, for placement in jobs, locally or overseas, is required, under the Employment Agencies Act, to obtain a licence from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, which is renewable annually,” the ministry said.

The ministry noted that it has a zero-tolerance approach to employment scamming and that it was urging individuals operating illegally to regularise their operations or risk being fined $1 million and or up to 12 months imprisonment, on conviction.

Jobseekers who have been scammed by these false advertisements are also being encouraged to report the incident to the ministry at its hotline 867-553-5457 or the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Fraud Squad.