Lankan youth warned against unscrupulous job agencies:

Organised job racket in Cyprus bared

by Uditha KUMARASINGHE

An organised racket to send Sri Lankan youth for jobs in Cyprus under the student visa and obtaining degrees from European universities in Cyprus with the least educational qualifications has been bared Higher Education Ministry Secretary Dr. Sunil Jayantha Nawaratne told the Sunday Observer.

The Ministry has already received information that several unscrupulous job agencies charge Rs. 1 million-Rs. 1.2 million from gullible youth promising jobs in Cyprus under the student visa.

Dr. Nawaratne called upon youth not to be misled by these unscrupulous elements and get stranded in Cyprus.

The students should check the authenticity of the information from the External Affairs Ministry or Cyprus Embassy.

Sri Lankans in Cyprus have informed President Mahinda Rajapaksa that the youth sent to Cyprus by bogus job agents do not have even food or lodging. Hence, the President has instructed the Higher Education Ministry to caution the public against unscrupulous job agencies.More employment opportunities in Cyprus are provided to those recruited from European countries.

As a result, it has become increasingly difficult for Sri Lankan youth to find employment in Cyprus. Despite the Government's decision to take stern legal action against these unscrupulous job agencies, a large number of youth often fall prey to these racketeers, Dr. Nawaratne said.