Officials at the Ministry of Labour and Social Security said many persons had complained to the ministry that they had been defrauded by some of these agencies after paying exorbitant fees to get jobs overseas.

Permanent secretary in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Alvin McIntosh, told members of the Public Administration and Appropriations Committee of Parliament on Wednesday that the Employment Agencies Act and regulation would be amended.

He said the ministry had received a number of reports from persons who were unable to recover their money from agencies which did not secure promised jobs overseas.

Nearly three weeks ago, the ministry held a meeting with all private employment agencies and urged them to comply with the law.

"They are playing a very important role but we want them to conform with the law," McIntosh said.