Dionne Rose, Staff Reporter

Stiffer penalties are coming as the Government moves to clamp down on unscrupulous persons who scam unsuspecting individuals seeking employment locally or overseas, says the Ministry of Labour.

Alvin McIntosh, Permanent Secretary at the ministry, said Cabinet has approved amendments to the Employment Agencies Regulation Act to upgrade the penalties.

"... Some of them (scammers) are quite unscrupulous and are charging persons, who are desperate to go abroad enormous amounts," said McIntosh. "We cannot stand idly by and allow this to continue."

While not divulging the new penalties, Mr. McIntosh said they would be substantial.

Mr. McIntosh said the law is also being amended to ensure persons who offer employment overseas provide medical coverage for these persons through Jamaica's liaison services.

Background checks

The Permanent Secretary said under the new framework, persons going to work overseas under private programmes will have to come through the ministry's medical testing and criminal background checks.

Mr. McIntosh said the ministry would not allow persons to damage the reputation of Jamaica.

"For that reason, we are going to be monitoring the operations of the private employment agencies," he said.