The Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau says after examining complaints received in 2022 against foreign employment agencies, the Special Investigation Division of the Bureau has worked towards recovering Rs.38,087,000 owed to victims of various rackets.
The money was handed over to complainants based on directives issued after investigations into complaints including overcharging when providing foreign jobs, failure to provide jobs despite charging funds, and having to return to Sri Lanka due to job requirements not being met.
The SLFBE said investigations were conducted into complaints lodged between the 1st of January and the 31st of December 2022, adding that the figure is relatively high in comparison to last year.
The Bureau said Rs.8,945,900 was recovered from agencies following complaints in 2021.
The SLFBE has also taken steps to cancel the labour permits of 17 foreign employment agencies that acted contrary to provisions of the Bureau Act despite being issued directives through circulars.
A decision has been reached to cancel a further 27 licenses of agencies based on recommendations related to ongoing investigations into complaints.
During the year 2022, the Investigation Unit received 1,334 complaints, of which 744 complaints were against employment agencies registered with the Bureau.
922 complaints have been resolved and compensation has been granted while 214 complaints have been settled in Court and relevant judgements have been issued.
A total of 116 cases have been filed against foreign employment agencies.
