KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) – Director of Manpower Services in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security Andrea Miller-Stennett, is imploring members of the public to contact the Ministry to verify the legitimacy of agencies offering jobs overseas, in order to guard against employment scams.

“We have situations out there where persons are being scammed. Persons are coming to them promising jobs overseas… and we are asking that persons check with the ministry first before they give persons their money. Some persons even send their money to bank accounts without even knowing who they’re sending it to,” she lamented.

The Director, who was speaking in a recent interview with JIS News, also warned members of the public to be wary of persons posing as agents of the Ministry, who attempt to swindle them out of their money.

Miller-Stennett informed that the Ministry’s Employment Agency Unit monitors employment agencies and also works closely with the police to “investigate, track, and dismantle” illegal operations.

“We have a team of inspectors that go out and look for these operations and we investigate them. There are times when we find them and we work with the police to close them down,” she said.

To access a list of legal employment agencies, visit: www.mlss.gov.jm.

Members of the public are invited to report suspicious websites, persons or agencies to the ministry.