Govt cancels licences of 32 agencies
The government has cancelled the licenses of 32 travel and recruiting agencies in the last two months for irregularities in manpower business and involvement in human trafficking.
The facts were disclosed at an inter-ministerial meeting held at the Home Ministry yesterday afternoon.
The licenses were cancelled after law-enforcing agencies in an investigation found the agencies illegally sending manpower abroad, which in most cases led to trafficking of women and children, meeting sources said.
Police and the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) are at present investigating the activities of some other agencies and their licenses could also be revoked on the same grounds, the meeting was told.
Attended by representatives of Non-Government Organisations (NGOs), the meeting evaluated the overall situation of human trafficking in the country and renewed a call to the 2500 travel and recruiting agencies operating in the country to adhere to government rules and maintain transparency in their businesses.
The meeting also ordered the concerned authorities to ensure that the licenses of the 32 agencies are forfeited and they stop all business activities within 15 days of the cancellation of their licenses.
The meeting also discussed the Draft Policy prepared by the Expatriate Welfare and Overseas Employment Ministry to bring more transparency and accountability in manpower recruitment to prevent human trafficking.
The government officials and NGO representatives agreed to work further on the draft, making it more effective so that recruiting and travel agencies can be prevented from indulging in any irregularities or illegal activities.
The meeting also expressed dissatisfaction over the slow disposal of cases filed in connection with women and children trafficking and requested the law ministry and the police headquarters to take necessary steps to ensure that cases are disposed of quickly.
At present 603 cases remain pending, of which 571 are under trial while the others are under investigation, the meeting was informed.
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