Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Labour has issued a list of 221 registered manpower and recruitment companies on its website as part of its efforts to protect the public from fraudulent recruitment advertisements and unlicensed agencies offering domestic worker recruitment services.
The Ministry urged individuals seeking to recruit domestic workers to exercise caution when responding to advertisements, particularly those circulated through social media and other online platforms. It warned that not every recruitment advertisement is what it appears to be, noting that fraudsters may use convincing advertisements or impersonate legitimate recruitment agencies to offer services that are not authorised.
The Ministry stressed that dealing with unlicensed entities could expose individuals to financial losses and other risks, while potentially affecting their rights and legal protections. It therefore called on members of the public to verify the source of any recruitment advertisement before taking action or making payments.
The Ministry’s awareness message advises people who encounter advertisements for domestic worker recruitment to avoid trusting them immediately and instead check whether the agency behind the advertisement appears on the Ministry of Labour’s official list of registered recruitment agencies.
The list, which includes 221 manpower companies, provides a reference for individuals seeking to ensure that they are dealing with agencies authorised to provide recruitment services. The Ministry’s guidance is particularly relevant as unlicensed offices may use social media platforms to promote fake or misleading advertisements.
The Ministry has encouraged members of the public to use the QR code provided in its awareness campaign to access the list and verify the status of a recruitment agency before proceeding with any transaction.
The Ministry’s message is aimed at promoting greater awareness among employers and families and preventing them from falling victim to fraudulent recruitment practices. It also reinforces the importance of using licensed recruitment offices as a means of ensuring that recruitment procedures comply with applicable regulations and help protect the rights of all parties involved.
Under Qatar’s legal framework, domestic workers are to be recruited through licensed recruitment offices, with the Ministry supervising the recruitment sector.
The Ministry has previously emphasised the importance of dealing only with duly licensed recruitment offices when recruiting domestic workers, stressing that this helps safeguard the rights of employers and workers alike.
The Ministry’s latest awareness message urges the public to “Think twice. Verify first. Choose licensed.” It also reminds users that a professional-looking advertisement should not automatically be considered genuine.
