SVG: Cops questioning a man in relation to shady job offers
Police in St Vincent and the Grenadines have a male Attendant from the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital (MCMH) in custody assisting with an investigation that was launched into reports of Vincentian women who are being recruited as babysitters and housekeepers, then are allegedly subjected to exploitation and possibly human trafficking.
Police detained Carlton Richardson of Fair Hall in the North-Western District after a female resident reported to the police that on February 12, a man approached her and told her that he was seeking to recruit young ladies to work as babysitters and housekeepers for a “white woman” in the Grenadines.
The police responded to the report, and Richardson was subsequently detained for questioning.
The Anti-trafficking in Persons Unit (ATIPU) in SVG advises the public to be aware of persons offering lucrative jobs (locally and overseas) and warns that before accepting any job offers, ensure that it is genuine.
The Unit has shared some steps that persons/citizens can take to verify that the job is authentic and that the potential employer(s) are not scammers, human traffickers or part of a criminal network.
- Before leaving your place of abode, contact the local police and/or the Department of Labour for assistance and guidance.
- Seek assistance from bonafide family members and friends who may be residing at the place or country that you are being offered a job. Do not “go it alone”.
- Carefully verify the information about the company or person making the offer. If it involves travelling overseas, know your rights as a migrant in that country.
- Contact any Vincentian embassy or consulate for assistance before travelling to the country where you are offered a job.
- Do not sign any document or contract you do not understand, especially in a foreign language.
- Travel legally. Do not travel on false a passport, I.D, visa or work permit. You will be in a vulnerable situation that traffickers can exploit.
- Avoid debts. Traffickers will offer to pay all your expenses (travel, hotel, food, etc.). This is a trick to control and put you in ‘debt bondage.
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