Private Employment Agencies have absolved themselves of blame in the numerous reported cases of exploitation of Ghanaians who travel abroad through agencies to seek greener pastures.
According to the association, unregistered agencies have infiltrated their ranks and are deceiving desperate Ghanaians with non-existing traveling opportunities.
It comes after a woman narrated her ordeal in Iraq on the Morning Starr after she fell for juicy promises of job opportunity by a private employment agencies.
She recounted how many Ghanaian ladies are beaten, raped and killed for demanding a return home after noticing that the jobs they expected did not exist.
“I was sold to a family and had to clean the whole house alone everyday. The house was a fourteen bedroom apartment. I was paid $250 a month. It was only food and sometimes clothes that was provided by the family I stayed with. After 7 months, my dad passed and I decided to come home. Those I was living with told me I cannot go because I was bought to work for 2 years. Attempts to move to Ghana after several attempts failed. I was later sold to another family and later to a house full of men,” she recounted her experience to Morning Starr host Francis Abban on the Morning Starr Thursday.
She added: “In Iraq, I was sexually abused, maltreated among other things. Life there was tough. I was later sold to a Chief of Police in Babylon in Iraq. I had to serve a family of 24. After assurances that the Chief of Police would get me tickets to travel back home, I was disappointed. I chanced on one Ernest Opuni Ministry on social media. I prayed and fasted with them whenever they are praying and fasting. I believed God during the period of fasting and prayers. After the back and forth, I had the opportunity to come back to Ghana. I came back to Ghana with nothing but I thank God for bringing me back home safely”.
However, commenting on the development, Alhaji Ishaq Saeed, Chairman-Private Employment Agencies said the group is willing to help the police arrest fake travel agencies.
“We assist Ghanaians who travel outside especially for job reasons. We have license from the State to operate. I think about 98% of these employment agencies are operating illegally. We know most of them and have reported some of them to the police. The activities of those who are engaged in illegal recruitment are sometimes linked to the licensed holders.
“The Saudi Arabia government for instance have directed that licensed agents in their country should deal with only licensed agents form other countries. We can assist the police identify and arrest the illegal recruitment agencies”.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM