Vanuatu rogue agents threatened with jail

Vanuatu has warned that rogue operators trying to deceive people seeking seasonal work ion New Zealand and Australia that they could face imprisonment.

The warning has been issued by the Commissioner of Labour Murielle Meltenoven who said unauthorised organisations purporting to handle job applications could be fined more than $US40,000.

She said such fake agents make attractive promises and enticed potential applicants to pay them cash in order to handle all their travels to either New Zealand or Australia.

Ms Meltenoven has appealed to chiefs across the country to report to her office any individual or organisations that falsely operates as labour agents.

She said a fake agent could be fined up to $US17,000.

According to the Daily Post, one man purporting to be an agent was taken to the police.