What can be done to prevent people falling victim to fake job offers?

The Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare recently issued a warning to prevent people falling prey to fake job offers posted on social media by unauthorised recruitment agencies. These posts claim that well-paid jobs are available in South Korea, but they are not always legitimate and applicants may be at risk of human trafficking. Vientiane Times asked some members of the public for their thoughts on this troubling issue.

Ms Noy, a resident of Luang Namtha province: It’s true that many young people want to work abroad, both in both Asia and Europe. As we know, there are many reasons why people want to take up jobs in other countries, especially right now when the inflation rate here is so dire. Wages in Laos are very low compared to the cost of living. Everything costs more now but salaries stay the same and in some cases are reduced. It’s good that the authorities are trying to tackle this problem by making the public aware of what’s going on and by encouraging people to consider everything carefully before committing to a job in another country. I think everyone should follow official news sources and double check the information they get. We can prevent more people falling victim to these scams if we all take the time to check the facts. 

Ms Noutta, a government official in Luang Prabang province: I don’t know much about this but I know there are many people in my village who want to work abroad, especially in Korea. It’s unfortunate that scams like this occur because it destroys the hopes of young people who want to make progress and earn more money. It also undermines the credibility of recruitment agencies. Of course, unscrupulous individuals will do whatever they can to cheat people of their money and they certainly don’t care about the law. I know it’s quite difficult to tackle this problem because such scams are widespread. And most people can’t tell the difference between a genuine and fake recruitment offer. It would be good if the authorities provided the public with more information so that people are more alert to the issue.  

Ms Noud, a student in Xaythany district, Vientiane: I read about this and I think it’s quite scary because I would like to work in another country. I intend to apply for work overseas, but I will have to check all the details very carefully. To make sure we don’t fall victim to cheats, we should watch out for news concerning false claims like this. And we should talk to those who have experience of working in other countries. I urge the authorities to raise public awareness of this matter and to provide suggestions and more information. And of course, workers and their families should be sure of who they’re paying money to.

Mr Chon, a government official in Xayaboury province: I think this is a matter of concern and everyone should be on their guard when applying for jobs because scams like this are both financially and personally damaging. I know some people who applied to work abroad and were cheated. They were not only deeply disappointed but they also lost the chance to work here in Laos. Workers and their families should look into the details of any job offer and seek official confirmation. We all need to make sure we can tell the difference between true and false information. The authorities should advise people promptly if they think there’s a scam circulating.

By Lamphone Pasanthong
(Latest Update September 27, 2022)