The ministry places thousands of persons in jobs overseas each year but almost daily, other entities advertise locally for teachers, doctors, nurses and other skilled workers for jobs around the world.

But Labour Minister Pearnel Charles is warning that, while some of these entities are legitimate and have helped Jamaicans to find jobs, others have sent persons overseas, only for Jamaicans to discover that there were no jobs available, or that the terms and conditions were different from what they were told.

"Some have no insurance provision, no pension, no provision for social and cultural adjustment," Charles noted.

Recently, the ministry pointed to the employment agency Job-quest, and urged persons to be cautious in dealing with it.

The agency has been advertising for recruits with professional and non-professional skills to take up two-year employment contracts in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates and Canada.

specialists sought

Among the skills being sought by the agency are specialists in human resources, hospitality, construction and welding.

But the labour ministry said while Job-quest is registered, it has received several reports from dissatisfied customers.

Charles ordered a probe into the operation of the agency but the findings have not yet been made public.

Thousands of Jamaicans have been tricked by companies promising jobs overseas, while others have travelled overseas to discover that the jobs they were promised and the conditions were not in place.