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By Nakinskie Robinson
A major clampdown on unregistered foreign job recruiters is on the horizon, after the US Embassy announced the implementation of a rigid new system to take effect in less than two weeks.
The Jamaican Temporary Worker Security Program will come into effect on January 1.
The US Embassy Kingston's Consular Section says the strict system will include important changes for applicants seeking the H2B or temporary non-agricultural workers, J1 or exchange visitors, and Q1 or international cultural exchange visitors visas to the United States.
The US Embassy says all H2B, J1 and Q1 applicants must include complete information about their recruiting agency in their electronic DS-160 applications.
Any application that does not provide the required information will be suspended until the applicant provides this information.
But the Embassy says by its sole discretion, exceptions can be made for those workers with sufficient recent temporary work travel to show they do not need an agent, or for those being petitioned directly by their US employer without using a recruiting agent.
The US authorities say the crackdown comes amid a noted history of rogue labour agencies charging illegal fees to their applicants and placing Jamaican workers at worksites in the US that are different from those listed on their applications.
The Embassy says this has resulted in possible labour trafficking and debt bondage and is contrary to the safety interests of Jamaican temporary workers and the US.
Once an application with complete recruiter information is received, the Embassy will check the named recruiter against the current list of recruiters registered with Jamaica's Ministry of Labour and Social Security or the US Department of Labor's list.
Any application showing a recruiter not listed will be rejected and the applicant will need to reapply with a listed recruiter.
The Embassy is reminding the public that acting as a recruiter for labour to work overseas without an active Labour Ministry registration is a violation of Jamaica's Employment Agencies Registration Act.
Additionally, US visa applicants are required to disclose on the electronic application form, and or during an interview with the consular officer at the Embassy, the information for who assisted with completing the visa application.
The US government says it does not require foreigners to work through a third party to secure a job offer in the United States.
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