EXCLUSIVE: Dubai recruiter caught in Ministry sting op

Sunday, 27 September 2009 4:05 PM

UAE authorities are set to shut down a Dubai-based recruitment agency and press charges against its owners on allegations that the firm charged candidates for applying for jobs.

A sting operation by the Ministry of Labour (MoL) found that the company was charging job seekers for applying for jobs, a source close to the situation told Arabian Business.

The operation was one in a series of crackdowns on rogue recruiters in the country, the source said.

Execuland, a white-collar recruitment consultancy with offices on the 41st floor of Emirates Towers, was also found to be advertising jobs despite not being registered as a recruitment agency.

Nobody from the company showed up for work on Sunday, according to a receptionist outside the firm’s office, and telephone calls were directed to voice mail.

UAE recruiters are only allowed to charge employers for their services.

Previously only a problem for blue-collar workers in sectors like construction, the economic slowdown has seen illegal recruitment fees spread to all parts of the market as a wave of redundancies in Gulf states created a surplus of job candidates.

Article 18 of the UAE Labour Law states that: “no licensed employment agent or labour supplier shall demand or accept from any worker...any commission or material reward in return for employment”.

In a statement sent earlier to Arabian Business, Humaid bin Deemas, the acting director general of MoL, said that jobseekers asked for fees should submit a complaint supported by evidence to any of the ministry’s customer offices.

The managing director of Execuland did not immediately respond to e-mails.

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Posted by: S. Aslan Tuesday, 1 March 2011 4:18 PM[UAE] - UAE

Hi guys,

i really feel ashamed of saying this, but i received a call from a Dubai based recruitment agency for an interview to be considered for a Business Manager position.

the call was brief, they asked me to come the next day, unfortunately i was busy that night and didnt do a bckground check... I only doubted when diring the interview the lady said

"if u like u can pay 300 to get a premium service". Honestly i paid.

she said we will get back to u in 3-7 days, let see, if she doesnt and its clear they r a fraud, ill post their name, location and website.

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Posted by: Ishraaq Sunday, 18 July 2010 10:08 PM[UAE] - UAE

One of my friend was called for an interview today (18th July 2010) by a Lady. They sent 15 message on the phone asking to come for the interview. They told to come to the 23rd floor of Grosvener comm office tower.. They asked to pay AED 300. There is an other Consultancy named DUBAI GATE MANAGEMENT & CONSULTANCY in Sharjah near Buhaira Cornish. Beware of them as well. They will innitially charge you AED 100 or 200 depending on your visa status. There are very RUDE people sitting their named Ms. Kiran, Ms. Rokiya. The guy sitting at the counter named Ahmed who does not know how to talk. He even hit a guy who came to ask for his refund of AED 4000. They are all fraud and please beware. Y is the Dubai Labor Department does not do anything to nab these fraudsters? Please take the innitiatiove and get them out, I was a victim of Dubai Gate Management and Consultancy. I loaged a complaint with the Buhaira police station. I hope they take some actions. Ishraaq

Posted by: Yvonne Wednesday, 19 January 2011 7:09 PM[UAE] - Germany

Hi we're you able to get back your money?
thanks for this info

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Posted by: moiks Thursday, 8 July 2010 9:16 PM[UAE]

I also got a call just this afternoon from an Indian lady and told me that I have an interview tomorrow with one HR Manager. I had my doubts because 1. She only used a mobile number which is not normally being practiced with such companies in Dubai 2. The background was too loud as if she was in a market or mall and could not give me clear information about the things I wanna know 3. She wants me to come on a friday and most of the offices don't operate during this day and it is such a very short notice as well 4. She asked me if I have been interviewed by their company before and 5. She said she'll send me a text for the details of my interview in which she hasn't. I was searching their website on the internet and fortunately I found all the complaints about them, thank God! my husband has been a victim once with another recruitment agency (too bad I don't remember if they're the same guys) and they made him pay 500 aed! I don't want this to happen again to me nor to anyone else so be vigilant guys!

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Posted by: Nicole Wednesday, 7 July 2010 7:10 PM[UAE] - UAE

Hi, I just received a call from a lady asking me to come for an interview with HR manager tomorrow...said i need to specify timing ...when i said needed some time to think she said will put me on open timings for the interview..... I checked on the net immediately about the recruitment company & am shocked to see these comments..... thanks Guys.... Nicole

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Posted by: P Richards Monday, 5 July 2010 5:51 PM[UAE]

I just got the same call, thankfully I checked online. I could hardly understand the Indian Woman that called asking me when I would like my interview. I thought it was dodgy as I am in a very specialist field, I am gutted that hey have my CV and details, they have a very Western looking internet site but are scammers! Please, please let's get these people shut down.

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