Some foreign job agents in Sri Lanka are reportedly scamming job seekers by charging them for the now banned E-08 Visa category, which was previously used for employment opportunities in South Korea.
These fraudulent agents have promised hopeful workers that they can secure jobs abroad under the E-08 visa, despite the fact that the category has been rendered ineffective in Sri Lanka. In response to the growing concerns, the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau (SLFEB) has issued a stern warning to job seekers not to fall victim to such scams. The SLFEB said that the E-08 Visa category is now illegal in Sri Lanka, and no job agency or individual agent has been authorised to conduct training or recruitment under this visa. The Bureau will take action against fraudulent agents, who are misleading job seekers and misappropriating their money.
The Regional Manager for the SLFEB in Kurunegala, R.M. Senaratne, emphasised the importance of avoiding these illegal job schemes, as pursuing employment opportunities through the banned E-08 Visa system could lead to the forfeiture of any future aspirations to work abroad, including in other countries.
“We call upon all job seekers to refrain from seeking employment under the prohibited E-08 Visa category,” Senaratne told the Sunday Observer yesterday. “Taking such risks could cost you not only your money but also your chances for legitimate employment abroad.”
The SLFEB will continue its efforts to combat these illegal job rackets and protect citizens from being exploited by unregistered agents, he added.
