15 cases against illegal recruitment agencies since 2022

Porvorim: Chief minister Pramod Sawant told the House on Tuesday that Goa police registered 15 criminal cases against unlisted recruitment agencies involved in overseas employment frauds since 2022, with 15 arrests made in connection with these.

The data shows an upward trend, with cases rising from two in 2022 to six in the first half of 2025 alone. Currently, seven are pending trial while six remain under investigation.

Responding to a calling attention motion by Mormugao MLA Sankalp Amonkar regarding concerns over recruitment agencies charging exorbitant fees and providing misleading job information, Sawant said govt implemented several measures, including awareness programmes at police stations and coordination with the Protector of Emigrants office. He said govt will initiate action against the illegal overseas recruitment agencies flagged in the House.

But MLA Vijai Sardesai said, “Issuing public advisories and conducting awareness is not enough. Immediate action needs to be taken against the recruiting agencies named before this session ends, including against middlemen.”

MLAs also urged govt to persuade the Centre to set up a sub-office of the Protector of Emigrants in Goa, as it currently falls under the jurisdiction of the Karnataka office.