The public is again warned to watch out for bogus recruitment agents.
Labor Mobility Unit (LMU) within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade issued the warning in light of latest reports suggesting certain people posing as agents for the New Zealand Recognized Seasonal Employer scheme (RSE) and the Australian Seasonal Worker Programme (SWP).
These bogus agents normally asked for upfront fees.
But the LMU said:
“Anyone wishing to participate under the current schemes should never have to make upfront payment to any individual (claiming to be agents) promising to give them work under these schemes.
“If you need to verify whether an agent is licensed or require any other information relating to these schemes you should visit the LMU.”
In a statement, LMU said latest reports suggest certain bogus agents are falsely promising to send people to New Zealand and Australia.
“If an individual or agent is not authorized by the LMU, they are unable to offer jobs under the RSE or SWP scheme.
“Anyone claiming to be an agent who does not have a license is committing fraud and will be referred to the police.
“The public is therefore advised that they must first enquire with the LMU to verify the authenticity of the recruiting Agents before proceeding with the recruitment process.
“This should avoid any misleading information being provided and prevent false expectations arising for seasonal job offers in New Zealand and Australia by those persons who dishonestly claim to be agents.
“For New Zealand RSE the LMU currently has nine approved agents while for the Australia SWP there is only one Agent.
“The approved license required by agents to recruit workers for both the New Zealand RSE scheme and the Australian SWP is currently valid for one year.
“A list of approved recruiting agents and their contacts for the New Zealand and Australia scheme can be collected from the LMU office within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade at Melanesia Pacific Haus.
“Enquiries can made by phone 21250.”
