The inquiry report reveals that a large number of complaints were received by the Saudi Embassy against box holders. CREATIVE COMMONS
ISLAMABAD:
A group of middlemen continues to fleece migrant labour applying for visas to Saudi Arabia, after the Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) swept a major corruption scandal under the carpet by dumping an inquiry report investigating the matter.
The visa drop box system was introduced after the Saudi embassy asked Pakistan to appoint individuals who could collect passports of all work visa applicants and forward them to it. It had made the request because it receives a large number of applications every month, and it did not want applicants crowding its diplomatic offices.
The visa drop box system was an ad hoc arrangement made in this regard, because the Pakistan Overseas Employment Promoters Association (POEPA) – which used to handle visa-related work – had had its licence cancelled. The names of box holders were nominated by leaders of two groups within POEPA, and the first bag of passports arrived at the Saudi Embassy on June 2, 2008 through the arrangement.
Meanwhile, after POEPA’s licence was restored, the box holders were approached by representatives of POEPA and asked to revert to the old system of submission of passports through POEPA itself. However, the box holders refused to accept that POEPA had any authority in this regard.
According to documents available with The Express Tribune, an internal inquiry conducted by a committee of the HRD ministry had recommended strict action against visa drop box holders and had directed the recovery of millions of rupees they had charged from labour migrating to Saudi Arabia.
The inquiry committee said in its report that the present visa box system was faulty and needed to be abolished, as it was creating problems for Overseas Employment Promoters (OEPs) and resulting in reduction of demand for Pakistani emigrants. It said that the system is not covered in any law, rule or regulations, and observed that box holders had not maintained any record of the money collected from the public, which runs into millions of rupees. “The collected amount needs to be recovered from box holders, as it is public money,” the report recommended.
It had further recommended that a system should be evolved where service is provided on merit and on a first-come, first-serve basis, and that a proper record of funds collected from OEPs and individuals be maintained. “After the necessary expenses, the remaining amount should then be deposited in the public exchequer,” the report added.
The inquiry report reveals that a large number of complaints were received by the Saudi Embassy against box holders. Saudi authorities had issued a warning in this regard, saying strict action would be taken if box holders did not desist from exploiting applicants.
“But the HRD secretary has dumped the inquiry report, and no action has been taken against the visa box holders,” sources said.
When contacted, Ministry of HRD Secretary Muhammad Ahsan Raja was “busy and could not respond,” according to his personal staff officer.
OEPs complain that box holders are collecting passports and charging Rs300 for each. Around a hundred thousand documents are attested by the Saudi authorities every month, out of which it charges Rs750, while box holders charge Rs1,000 in total and pocket the rest. They do not keep any records of collected amounts.
The drop box system has left OEPs at the mercy of box holders. They complain that visas of box holders and their favourites are processed quickly, while all others have to wait. OEPs also allege that box holders charge an extra Rs25,000 per passport for ‘urgent’ action.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 21st, 2013.
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